Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has called on Chinese investors to expand their investments in Nigeria’s growing solid minerals sector, highlighting ongoing reforms and major opportunities for collaboration.
Speaking at the China Mining Conference, Dr. Alake said Nigeria has already attracted over $1.3 billion in Chinese investments in lithium development and other critical minerals.
He urged investors to take advantage of the government’s new policy reforms aimed at creating a transparent, data-driven, and investor-friendly environment.
According to the minister, initiatives such as the Electronic Mining Cadastre Plus (EMC+) and the National Mineral Resource Data System (NMRDS) are revolutionizing Nigeria’s mineral management and exploration landscape.
These platforms, he explained, provide accurate geological data and enable investors to make informed decisions while ensuring transparency and accountability in mineral licensing.
Dr. Alake noted that while Nigeria is rich in mineral deposits including lithium, gold, nickel, and rare earth elements, the country needs stronger international partnerships to transform its geological data into proven, mineable resources.
“Our focus is on value addition and responsible investment. We invite our Chinese partners to participate not only in exploration but also in local processing, technology transfer, and infrastructure development,” he said.
The minister reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to diversifying Nigeria’s economy through the solid minerals sector, emphasizing that sustainable mining and strategic partnerships remain central to the government’s agenda for industrial growth and job creation.
The conference, one of the world’s largest gatherings for the mining industry, brought together government officials, investors, and mining executives to discuss global mineral trends and opportunities for cross-border collaboration.
