The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has credited President Bola Tinubu’s aggressive policy reforms with a surge in productivity and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) within Nigeria’s mining industry.
Representing the Minister at the Prospectors and Development Association of Canada (PDAC) conference in Toronto, the Director-General of the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), Engr. Obadiah Nkom speaking at the 27th Annual African Mining Breakfast stressed that Nigeria is no longer looking for passive observers but for credible partners dedicated to sustainable, high-impact mining.
Alake identified cross-border logistics as a primary hurdle for continental growth, noting that while many African mining projects are inherently viable, they often stall due to fragmented infrastructure.
He issued a call to action for development finance institutions to fund regional corridors such as rail links and power grids that connect mineral-rich zones across borders.
He positioned Nigeria as a ready anchor for these regional systems, backed by robust geological data and political will.
The Nigerian delegation also held strategic talks with Paula Caldwell, Chairperson of the Canada–Africa Chamber of Business. Facilitated by Canadian High Commissioner HE Pasquale Salvaggio, these discussions focused on the African Partnership Business Conference scheduled for May, which aims to bridge the gap between Canadian capital and African opportunities.
Throughout the four-day PDAC event, Nigerian officials engaged with global executives to showcase the country’s efforts in enhancing transparency and regulatory clarity.
