By Shakirudeen Bankole
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has revealed that Nigeria’s mining sector recorded significant growth over the past decade, increasing its contribution to the GDP from less than 0.5% to about 1.8%, with a target of reaching 3% in the coming years.
The Minister spoke a pre-event press briefing in Abuja ahead of the 10th edition of the Nigeria Mining Week, scheduled for 13–15 October 2025.
He said this year’s conference theme, “Nigeria Mining: From Progress to Global Relevance,” captures the sector’s ongoing transformation under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This 10th edition is not just a celebration — it’s a landmark that reflects our journey from obscurity to opportunity,” he said “What once seemed far off — stronger data, higher investment, and more local processing — is now shaping the sector in real terms,” he said.
Alake said Nigeria’s mining sector is now guided by structure, innovation, and private investment. He listed some of the major initiatives of his administration to include:
*Strengthening of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) to stimulate private sector financing.
Comprehensive geological mapping and data digitisation to improve transparency and investor confidence.
*Deployment of mining marshals to combat illegal mining and safeguard communities.
Upgrading of the Mining Cadastral Office to ensure transparent and efficient licensing.
*Introduction of a new Solid Minerals Development Roadmap, focusing on beneficiation, infrastructure, and local content.
*Launch of the Nigerian Mineral Resources Decision Support System (NMRDS) — a digital platform offering investors access to geological data.
*Establishment of the Nigerian Mining Corporation to promote state participation in mining ventures.
*Introduction of new Community Development Agreement (CDA) guidelines to guarantee fair benefits for host communities.
“These reforms reinforce our commitment to making mining a key pillar of Nigeria’s economic diversification strategy,” Alake said.
According to the National President of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Dele Ayanleke, the 10th edition of the NMW signals a decade of sectoral advancement.
“The Nigeria Mining Week has evolved into a trusted platform bridging policy and practice, operators and investors, and ideas and implementation,” he stated.
Mr Ayanleke said progress has been recorded in the formalisation of artisanal mining, exploration growth, increased foreign direct investment, and a surge in indigenous participation across minerals such as gold, barite, lithium, limestone, and bitumen.
- Editors of TheMiners with Marketing Director of Vuka Group, Samukelo Madlabane at the Abuja Continental Hotel
Kuda Tshinago, business manager at VUKA Group, expressed optimism about the future of Nigeria’s mining industry, saying the country had moved “from ambition to tangible impact” and was now positioned to lead Africa’s mineral transformation.
“We are bringing together Nigeria’s most influential policymakers, investors, and mining operators to chart the next decade,” he said.
“From the Kaduna Mining Development Company Deal Room to Nigeria Gold Day powered by SMDF, and the Steel Forum, this year’s programme will connect exploration to industry and mining to manufacturing.”
*TheMiners editors with MAN President Dele Ayanleke
Habeeb Jaiyeola, Partner at PwC Nigeria, reaffirmed the firm’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s mining development.
“This year’s theme is a bold declaration of Nigeria’s ambition. Over the past decade, technological integration, local empowerment, policy reform, and strategic partnerships have reshaped the sector. As trusted advisors with over 1,500 mining experts globally, PwC is proud to work with Nigeria to unlock the sector’s full potential,” he said.
The Nigeria Mining Week 2025 is organised by the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), in partnership with the VUKA Group and PwC Nigeria. It brings together local and international investors, policymakers, and industry leaders.
