FG UNVEILS NEW ROADMAP FOR SOLID MINERALS DEVELOPMENT………..
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The Federal Government has announced plans to launch a fresh roadmap to reposition Nigeria’s solid minerals sector as a key driver of industrialization and global competitiveness.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, represented by Permanent Secretary Farouk Yabo, said the roadmap is designed to harness critical minerals for energy transition, attract investment, create jobs, and ensure communities benefit from mining activities.
He noted that the initiative would strengthen governance, security, and environmental compliance while supporting both artisanal miners and large-scale operators. The roadmap also aligns with continental frameworks such as the African Mining Vision to secure Nigeria’s place in regional and global markets.
Director-General of the Mining Cadastre Office, Engr. Obadiah Nkom, highlighted Nigeria’s long mining history and stressed that the new roadmap would boost production, diversify the economy, and promote sustainable resource management. He pointed to recent investments in lithium processing plants worth hundreds of millions of dollars, expected to generate thousands of jobs.
The World Bank also projected a surge in global demand for critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt, underscoring the timeliness of Nigeria’s new strategy.
The workshop brought together stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and development partners to chart a unified path for the sector’s growth.