Mining crucial to Nigeria’s economic transformation — FG

The Federal Government has described mining as crucial to propelling Nigeria’s economic transformation.

 The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Mary Ogbe said this at a press conference to herald the ninth edition of the annual mining week on Wednesday in Abuja.

Ogbe said that Nigeria possesses critical minerals for energy transition, which offer significant opportunities for its domestic industrialisation and foreign investment, both of which were vital to national development agenda.

“The theme for this year’s conference, which we will reveal in the coming weeks, is centred on our shared commitment to utilising our vast mineral wealth to propel Nigeria’s economic transformation.

“This vision is in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasises value addition, job creation, and positioning Nigeria as a strategic player in the global commodities market,” she said.

She said that the platform typically offered participants opportunities to expand their business networks, share knowledge, and promote growth in the mining sector.

“The Nigeria Mining Week has grown to become the premier platform for stakeholders in the mining industry, both from within Nigeria and across the globe.

“It provides a platform to gather and engage in meaningful dialogue about the limitless opportunities that Nigeria’s mining sector presents.

“This annual gathering has consistently served as a catalyst for advancing the discourse on the critical role our mineral resources play in driving national economic growth.

“This year’s edition is poised to continue this tradition at an even higher level,” she said.

She said that the three-day event scheduled to start on Nov. 18 would be a period of reflection on the progress made so far in the sector by the current administration.

“Nigeria is home to some of the most valuable, untapped mineral resources in the world.

“As we continue to reform and restructure our regulatory frameworks, the focus remains on unlocking the full potential of these resources in ways that align with sustainable development goals,” she said.

On his part, the National President of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Dele Ayanleke, said that the annual event provided a platform for incubating ideas aimed at sectoral reforms and policy formulation.

Ayanleke’s speech was delivered by the Legal Advisor of the association, Mr Shehu Birma.

“The Nigeria Mining Week provides an unparalleled exposition of large, medium, or small scale industry players to latest emerging technologies and methodologies to enhance high yield of returns on mining investments,” he said.

Ayanleke said that the event had attracted global attention to Nigeria’s rich mineral endowments, and had been matching indigenous industry players with their global counterparts for enhanced value-added enterprises.

The 2024 mining week is organised by MAN in partnership with Price-water Coopers(PwC) Nigeria and Vuka Group.

It is hosted by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development