Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has emphasized the importance of international collaboration in developing a resilient, ethical, and sustainable mining sector to support the global shift toward clean energy.
Speaking at the ongoing Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Forum in Paris, Dr. Alake said the mining industry plays a pivotal role in the energy transition and must adopt environmentally responsible practices. His comments were shared in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori.
“With the emergence of the global energy transition, there has never been a more critical moment for decisive leadership,” Dr. Alake stated. “The future of electricity, transportation, telecommunications, and global prosperity depends on the work we do here. Let us embrace this opportunity—not just to discuss change, but to drive it.”
He called for smarter site selection, optimized operations, sustainable waste management, and greater environmental stewardship to meet the world’s growing demand for critical minerals—while ensuring future generations inherit a livable planet.
Highlighting Nigeria’s proactive approach, Dr. Alake outlined several investor-friendly policies, including import duty waivers, tax holidays, and accelerated capital allowances, aimed at attracting global investment into the country’s solid minerals sector.
“These incentives are complemented by sweeping reforms focused on sustainable extraction, local value addition, and improved infrastructure,” he said.
According to the Minister, Nigeria’s mining sector has seen notable progress in early 2025, generating N6.96 billion in license fees, formalizing over 1,200 artisanal and small-scale mining cooperatives, and registering 118 private mineral buying centers. Additionally, nearly 1,000 title applications were processed by the Mining Cadastral Office, with hundreds of new licenses approved.
Dr. Alake also underscored Africa’s strategic role in supplying the minerals essential to the global energy transition—including lithium, cobalt, copper, and tantalum. He called for a shift from raw material exports to value-added processing across the continent.
“As Chair of the Africa Mineral Strategy Group (AMSG), I collaborate with counterparts across the continent to promote resource mobilization, value addition, and responsible development,” he said. “Africa must become a leader—not just a source—in the critical minerals value chain.”
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Alake reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to building transparent and ethical mineral supply chains through partnerships with governments, investors, civil society, and local communities.
“Nigeria is ready to work with global partners to promote responsible sourcing, encourage beneficiation, and deliver long-term economic value,” he affirmed.