Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, yesterday, declared that the nation’s mining sector is firmly on the path to achieving global relevance.
 
He noted that the upcoming 2025 Nigeria Mining Week will spotlight the country’s progress over the past decade and its ambition to transform into a globally competitive mining hub.
 
Alake disclosed this in Abuja, during the first press briefing ahead of the 10th edition of the yearly event, themed: “Nigerian Mining: From Progress to Global Relevance,” scheduled for October 13 to 15, 2025, which reflects both the achievements so far and the aspirations that lie ahead.
   
The Nigeria Mining Week 2025 is organised by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in partnership with the Miners Association of Nigeria, PwC, and VUKA Group, will become one of Africa’s leading industry gatherings.
 
The minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Faruk Yusuf Yabo, stressed that mining has been identified under President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” as one of the key drivers of Nigeria’s economic diversification away from oil. 
 
He explained that the reforms aimed at strengthening legal frameworks, streamlining licensing processes, and fostering sustainable partnerships that can attract responsible investment.
 
He said: “Over the past ten years, Nigeria Mining Week has grown from a modest industry gathering into a flagship platform that convenes government, investors, operators, and development partners. 
 
“As we enter the next decade, our focus is clear: to scale up the industry, ensure sustainability, drive value addition, and firmly position Nigeria as a globally relevant mining hub.”
 
Highlighting the country’s vast potential, he noted that over 44 distinct mineral types have been identified across the federation, making Nigeria one of Africa’s most attractive mining investment destinations.
 
He added: “Nigeria’s mining industry is no longer a hidden frontier. Beyond raw material extraction, our vision is to build sustainable value chains, promote beneficiation and value addition, boost GDP contribution, create jobs, and embed global best practices in environmental and social governance.”
 
In his remarks, the President of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Mr. Dele Ayanleke, stressed that with the right policies, collaboration, and investment, the mining sector could become a key driver of economic diversification and job creation.
 
He said: “We acknowledge that challenges remain. Infrastructure gaps, access to finance, and regulatory bottlenecks continue to affect miners, especially small-scale operators. Skills development and technology adoption are also critical areas that require sustained attention. 
 
Also speaking at the briefing, the Partner and Head of Mining at PwC Nigeria, Mr Habeeb Jaiyeola, reaffirmed the firm’s commitment to supporting the country’s mining industry.
 
He noted that over the years, PwC has consistently backed Nigeria Mining Week, which has become the leading platform for dialogue, consensus building, and solutions that position the sector as a true engine of shared prosperity.