The Federal Government, on Wednesday, launched the Early-Stage Mineral Exploration and Research Grant Endowment (EMERGE) programme to strengthen Nigeria’s mining sector through enhanced exploration, research, and local mineral processing.­

It said the research and development stream would also support geoscience and mineral-processing research in higher institutions to encourage innovation and strengthen local expertise.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, described the programme as a major milestone in the implementation of reforms aimed at transforming Nigeria’s vast mineral resources into sustainable economic growth and industrial development.

Alake said the programme, driven by the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), is designed to build a strong foundation for future generations while positioning Nigeria as a major player in the global minerals value chain.

He explained that the EMERGE programme would operate through three strategic streams, mineral exploration, critical minerals development, and research and development.

According to him, the exploration stream will focus on early-stage geological investigations to generate reliable mineral data, while the critical minerals stream targets minerals required for the global energy transition, including lithium and rare earth elements.

Alake noted that the initiative marks a major shift in Nigeria’s mining policy, as the government would no longer focus solely on mineral extraction but also support value addition and local processing.

He said: “For the first time, we are not only funding the digging of minerals, but also supporting the science and innovation required to refine them into higher-value products within Nigeria.”

He explained that EMERGE is designed to support the entire mining value chain — from exploration and geological research to refining and finished products — in line with the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda.

The minister disclosed that under ongoing reforms, the SMDF has already facilitated major mining-related investments, including a 1.5 million metric tonnes per annum aluminium refinery project, described as one of the largest investment commitments in Nigeria’s mining sector.

He added that the programme directly supports two major priorities of the ministry’s seven-point agenda: generating reliable geological data and promoting value addition through mineral processing and industrial innovation.

He assured stakeholders that the programme would be transparent and merit-driven, noting that applications for grants would be independently assessed by experts to ensure accountability and equal opportunities for applicants.

He also announced that for the first time in Nigeria’s history, dedicated grants would be made available for geoscience and mineral-processing research in tertiary institutions.

According to him, future breakthroughs in the processing of lithium, gold, and rare earth minerals could emerge from laboratories in Nigerian universities if properly supported.

The minister urged mining entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors to take advantage of the initiative, stressing that government support would be available at every stage of project development — from research and technical advisory to investment partnerships.

Dr. Alake commended the leadership and staff of the Solid Minerals Development Fund for driving reforms in the sector and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to diversifying the economy through solid minerals under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary of the SMDF, Fatima Shinkafi, said the launch of EMERGE would deepen efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s mining sector through exploration, research, and local value addition.

She described the programme as a critical component of the Federal Government’s solid minerals reform agenda, aimed at attracting investment, improving geological data, and promoting mineral processing.

Shinkafi emphasized that reliable geological data remains essential to unlocking opportunities in the mining sector, describing it as “the new oil” for the industry.