Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has stressed the significance of Nasarawa State in advancing the nation’s mining sector.
  
Speaking while receiving Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, and Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru in his office at the weekend, Alake affirmed that Nasarawa has been a formidable partner in harnessing the state’s vast Minerals potential for national development. 
  
“Lithium, for instance, is quite massive in Nasarawa State. It is like an epicentre of mining in Nigeria, which is why it is important for us to always discuss with the governor and collaborate with him to scale up mining activities in the state. I have received very warm and robust cooperation from him and the Minister of Defence, all centred around the development of our solid minerals in Nigeria,” he added.
  
The minister noted that the reforms and efforts to promote the sector over the last 17 months have begun to bear fruit, with global players increasingly expressing interest in Nigeria’s mining industry.
  
In his remarks, the governor commended Alake for effectively driving President Bola Tinubu’s agenda on mining development.
   
He acknowledged, however, that challenges such as insecurity persist in some areas, prompting the need for further collaboration with the minister and the Minister of Defence.
 
“The purpose of this meeting is to work together, and find solutions to security challenges, so that mining operations can go on, unhindered,” the governor said.
  
The Defence Minister, Abubakar Badaru, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to eradicating banditry and other criminal activities nationwide, stressing that efforts have already led to the resumption of mining exploration activities in Zamfara.