FG to investors: Support projects that promote local processing in Nigeria solid minerals sector
The Nigerian government is urging investors to prioritize local processing and value addition in the solid minerals sector rather than raw material exports. Minister Dele Alake emphasized that the upcoming 'Nigeria NOW' expo aims to connect investors with bankable projects that support industrialization.
Why it matters
This policy shift is critical for Nigeria's economic development, aiming to move the country up the global value chain and create sustainable domestic employment.
The federal government says Nigeria is repositioning its solid minerals sector to move beyond the extraction and export of raw minerals, urging investors to support projects that promote local processing, manufacturing, and value addition .
Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, spoke on Thursday in Abuja at a press briefing ahead of the maiden ‘Nigeria NOW Global Investors’ expo 2026.
Alake was represented by Obadiah Nkom, director-general of the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), an agency under the ministry.
He said the ministry’s strategy is to build a mining industry that creates jobs, supports industrialisation and strengthens linkages with other productive sectors of the economy.
“The ministry’s approach is to move the sector from simple extraction and export of raw minerals towards a system that supports processing, manufacturing, employment and stronger linkages with other parts of the economy,” he said.
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