Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has officially launched a capacity-building programme for Nigerian mining professionals at Murdoch University, Australia.

The initiative, an outcome of the Nigeria–Australia collaboration, supported by the Commonwealth Government, aims to address skill gaps in Nigeria’s mining sector while strengthening bilateral relations.

The programme follows a bilateral agreement reached at the 2023 Africa Down Under (ADU) Conference in Perth, where Dr Alake partnered with the Government of Western Australia, through its Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, and Murdoch University to facilitate technical training for Nigerian professionals.

With strong backing from the Australian High Commission in Nigeria, the collaboration has now produced its first major milestone: a two-week pilot training involving 11 Nigerian participants.

The training covers topics such as extractive metallurgy, sustainable geochemistry, and mineral science research. Participants will also embark on field trips and engage with industry experts on mining trends, investment opportunities, and sustainability challenges.

Speaking at the launch, Alake described the programme as the realisation of a vision conceived less than two years ago.

“I must acknowledge the encouragement and support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the tireless efforts of the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Leilani Bin-Juda, who has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life,” he said.

He urged the participants to be worthy ambassadors of Nigeria, using the training to boost technical capacity and support evidence-based policymaking in the industry.

Welcoming the Nigerian delegation, Murdoch University Vice Chancellor, Prof Andrew Deeks, emphasised the importance of global capacity building in the resource sector.

According to him, the exchange programme aligns with the university’s mission to promote ethical, sustainable, and inclusive engagement through impactful education and research.