The Federal Government says Nigeria’s capital market will drive efforts to unlock the $1 trillion potential of the solid minerals sector.
At a webinar organised by NASD PLC and the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), Senior Adviser on Mining and Policy, Amira Adamu Waziri, delivered remarks on behalf of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake.
She explained that although Nigeria holds 44 commercially viable minerals, the sector contributes less than 1% to GDP because poor infrastructure, inadequate data, illegal mining, and weak financing continue to hold it back.
Seven-Point Mining Agenda
To change this, Waziri outlined the Ministry’s seven-point agenda.
First, the government will establish the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company, with ownership shared among government, private investors, and citizens through the stock exchange.
Next, it will deploy Mines Marshals to curb illegal mining and acquire comprehensive geological data to de-risk investment.
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In addition, the agenda prioritises formalising artisanal mining, promoting local value addition, introducing investor-friendly reforms, and strengthening collaboration with host communities and financiers.
Path To Mining Renaissance
Furthermore, Waziri stressed that the stock exchange will mobilise long-term capital, allowing junior miners to raise funds, securitise geological assets, and attract institutional investment into processing hubs.
“The Honourable Minister believes this webinar begins a national conversation on using structured capital to unlock mineral wealth,” she noted.
Alake reaffirmed that Nigeria now stands on the threshold of a mining renaissance, powered by political will and private sector collaboration.
Meanwhile, other speakers emphasised licensing, capital intensity, and security challenges as critical issues the industry must address.
