The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, on Wednesday, thrown its weight behind the maiden Nigeria NOW! Global Investors Expo as part of efforts to attract responsible investments into Nigeria’s mining and energy.

 

The ministry said the expo would provide investors with direct access to viable projects across the country while giving government institutions an opportunity to receive feedback on challenges affecting project development, including infrastructure deficits, financing, licensing, technology, security and market access.

 

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, disclosed this in Abuja, during the Nigeria NOW! press briefing. Represented by the Director-General of the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), Engr. Simon Nkom, the minister said the ministry agreed to serve as patron of the maiden edition because the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s drive to diversify the economy and promote value-added investments.

 

The expo, organised by EnergyNet in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, is scheduled to hold from November 19 to 28, 2026. It will bring together government officials, investors, development finance institutions, technology providers and project developers.

 

According to Alake, Nigeria is broadening its productive base by reducing dependence on limited revenue sources while creating opportunities across mining, power, manufacturing, infrastructure, oil and gas, trade and investment.

 

Alake stressed that the country’s economic sectors are interconnected, noting that mining cannot thrive without reliable electricity, transport infrastructure, access to finance and predictable regulations.

 

He said: “These sectors are interconnected: mines need reliable power, roads, rail, processing facilities, finance, and predictable regulation. Industrial development depends on raw materials, logistics and market access. The Expo’s success will depend on bringing these related interests together.

 

“For the solid minerals sector, our aim is to move from extraction and export of raw minerals toward processing, manufacturing, employment and stronger linkages with the broader economy.»

 

“This requires patient capital, technical expertise, modern equipment, partnerships that balance commercial interests with Nigeria’s development priorities, investor compliance with the law, protection for host communities and the environment, and transparent relationships with government and stakeholders.

 

“The Expo should present these opportunities and the policies governing investment while enabling investors to identify partnership areas. It should also allow government institutions to hear directly from investors about challenges affecting project development, including finance, infrastructure, licensing, data, technology, security and market access.”

 

The minister said achieving these objectives would require patient capital, modern technology, technical expertise and investors committed to complying with Nigerian laws, protecting host communities, safeguarding the environment and maintaining transparent relationships with government institutions.

 

He explained that the participation of the ministries responsible for industry, trade and investment, power, and petroleum resources was deliberate, noting that no single ministry could independently address the country’s investment priorities.

 

Alake urged the media to provide accurate and balanced coverage of the investment forum, saying credible reporting would help distinguish genuine investment opportunities from unfounded claims.

 

He also assured prospective investors of the Federal Government’s commitment to creating an enabling business environment through policy consistency, improved coordination among agencies and timely stakeholder engagement.

 

The minister further urged the organisers to establish a post-event monitoring mechanism to ensure investment commitments made during the expo translate into tangible projects.

 

Speaking earlier, Portfolio Manager and Head of Corporate Development at EnergyNet, Abdoulaye Sylla, said that Nigeria NOW! initiative was conceived to reposition Nigeria as a preferred investment destination after years of underperforming in attracting foreign direct investment.

 

He said the annual high-level investment platform would focus on project delivery through dedicated investors’ boardrooms where government officials and financiers would review strategic projects, including large-scale infrastructure and multilateral programmes.

 

Sylla noted that while the expo would spotlight opportunities in mining, energy and infrastructure, it would also feature ports, logistics and other strategic sectors critical to Nigeria’s economic transformation.

 

“Nigeria is ready for a new approach to raising global investment. This flagship initiative, Nigeria NOW!, captures the success of the President’s administration and will unite the nation behind a common purpose: to present Nigeria as the world’s largest opportunity and prepare for transformative growth across West Africa.»

 

“With a project-focused investors’ boardroom, the government will be able to review and undertake deep dives into specific projects, including large-scale infrastructure and multilateral programmes such as M300. On-continent projects are now moving fast, and Nigeria has the tools to accelerate this progress.”

 

He added that the event would host a Youth Energy Summit on November 20 to equip young Nigerians with the skills and opportunities required for the country’s energy transition and long-term economic growth.

 

Also speaking, a representative of the Youth Sustainable Development Network, Damilola Balogun, said meaningful youth participation was essential for Nigeria to achieve its net-zero emissions target by 2060.

 

He said the summit would position young people as co-creators of sustainable development by connecting them with government, industry leaders, educational institutions and development partners.This version removes repetition, improves transitions, strengthens the lead, and follows a cleaner newspaper style while preserving all the key facts and quotations.