By Ihechi Enyinnaya
Nigeria is strengthening its position as Africa’s emerging minerals supply hub following the establishment of lithium processing and gold refining plants across the country, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has said.
Dr. Alake made the remarks during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Mr. Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, ahead of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Riyadh.
According to the minister, Nigeria’s value-addition policy in the solid minerals sector is already producing results. He disclosed that a high-purity gold refinery is currently operational in Lagos, while three additional gold refineries are at various stages of development. He also revealed that a $600 million lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State is ready for commissioning.
Alake said the developments are positioning Nigeria as a key global partner in the supply of critical minerals needed for the transition to green energy.
He commended Saudi Arabia for using the FMF platform to expand collaboration among countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, adding that Nigeria is keen to deepen partnerships with the Kingdom in areas of mutual benefit.
“There are areas of comparative advantage where Saudi Arabia excels and others where Nigeria has strengths. We are keen on structuring agreements that will enable us to engage meaningfully and constructively,” Alake said, citing capacity building, training, technology transfer, and mineral exploration as priority areas for cooperation.
The minister noted that Nigeria’s vast landmass is rich in critical minerals and rare earth elements essential to the global economy, stressing the need to leverage the FMF to develop fair, equitable, and mutually beneficial partnerships.
He also disclosed that a joint working group set up after FMF 2025—comprising Nigerian officials and the Saudi Chamber of Commerce—has concluded its work, with its report expected to be presented before the end of the current forum.
Alake further identified mineral traceability, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards, and mine-pit remediation as key areas requiring collaboration, noting that traceability is vital for boosting investor confidence.
In his response, Al-Khorayef reaffirmed Nigeria’s status as a longstanding ally of Saudi Arabia and supported the need for a practical and actionable agreement in solid minerals development. He proposed that the joint working group prepare a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for possible signing on the sidelines of the forum.
He also encouraged Nigeria to use the FMF to showcase mining investment opportunities to Saudi investors and urged African countries to adopt advanced mining technologies, noting that Nigeria could benefit from Saudi Arabia’s experience in the sector.
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