Nigeria and Canada have agreed to deepen cooperation in the solid minerals sector, with emphasis on strengthening governance frameworks, building institutional capacity and attracting sustainable investment into Nigeria’s mining industry.
The agreement was reached on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, during a meeting between the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, and Ambassador Emi Furuya, Director General of the West Africa and Maghreb Bureau at Global Affairs Canada, in Abuja.
The discussions formed part of efforts by both countries to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation across strategic sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The solid minerals sector featured prominently during the engagement, with both sides identifying opportunities to improve mining governance, strengthen institutional capabilities and create an environment conducive to sustainable investment.
The proposed collaboration comes amid efforts to develop Nigeria’s solid minerals industry and increase its contribution to economic diversification, industrial growth and employment generation.
Beyond mining, the two countries explored opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy, agriculture, manufacturing, information and communications technology (ICT), and the blue economy.
Emerging areas of potential partnership also include artificial intelligence, agricultural technology and the creative economy.
The officials further emphasised the need to align development cooperation with Nigeria’s national priorities, particularly in technical and vocational education and youth empowerment.
Visa facilitation was another major issue discussed at the meeting, with both countries highlighting the importance of streamlining visa processing to promote people-to-people contact and expand educational, business and cultural exchanges.
The meeting also addressed regional security challenges, including developments in the Sahel, the role of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) peace and security mechanisms, and Nigeria’s contributions to regional counter-terrorism efforts.
Both sides reaffirmed the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement in advancing shared interests and developing partnerships capable of delivering practical benefits to their citizens.
The meeting underscored Nigeria and Canada’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with mining sector development identified as a key area for expanded economic cooperation.
