The Solid Minerals Excellence Awards (SOMEA) is set to take centre stage at the Abuja Continental Hotel on May 14, 2026, as Nigeria officially turns its gaze toward the bedrock of its future economy.
 
With the theme: ‘Unlocking the Future’, the event would bring together high-ranking policymakers, global investors, members of the diplomatic corps, and captains of industry to deliberate on the future without oil.

According to the organisers, while the world has focused on oil, a different kind of wealth has been quietly building Nigeria’s roads, driving its tech, and fueling its skyscrapers. From the lithium powering the global EV revolution to the gold, limestone, and rare earth metals beneath our feet, the solid minerals sector is no longer Nigeria’s “hidden” wealth; it is the primary frontier.

Endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, SOMEA 2026 isn’t just an award ceremony; it is a high-stakes recognition of the titans, innovators, and risk-takers who are diversifying Nigeria’s DNA.

In an official communication endorsing the event, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Henry Dele Alake, praised the initiative for advancing “responsible, safe, and sustainable mining practices,” while aligning with national priorities to improve transparency, strengthen investor trust, and boost Nigeria’s global competitiveness.

Project Coordinator, Femi Da-silva, noted that for too long the giants behind the literal foundation of the modern world have worked in the shadows.
 He said: “We are bringing the glamour, the prestige, and the national spotlight to the sector that will define the next century of Nigerian prosperity.”
 
The timing couldn’t be more fortuitous. Under the aggressive reforms led by Alake, the sector is undergoing a massive “glow-up”, moving from artisanal roots to a global, transparent, and high-value powerhouse.

The organisers noted that this event celebrates the formalisation, the safety standards, and the massive investments, making Nigeria a “must-watch” destination for global mining capital.