Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has said that the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are beginning to reposition Nigeria’s economy for sustainable growth, particularly through renewed investments in the mining sector.
Alake stated this on Thursday in Abuja while speaking at a joint stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting organised by the Nigeria Revenue Service in collaboration with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
According to the minister, Nigeria’s long-standing dependence on oil revenues and imports had weakened the development of critical sectors such as mining, but recent reforms are beginning to reverse the trend.
He noted that ongoing investments in lithium processing, gold refining, and local mineral value addition are creating employment opportunities, attracting investors, and strengthening the nation’s economy.
“For too long, we depended heavily on oil and imports while sectors like mining were neglected. Today, we are seeing real progress,” Alake said.
The minister explained that the Federal Government is focused on building a mining industry that supports industrialisation, economic diversification, and local production.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling illegal mining activities across the country, stressing that authorities are intensifying enforcement measures to sanitise the sector.
According to him, efforts are underway to establish a more transparent, accountable, and responsible mining industry that benefits Nigerians and contributes meaningfully to national development.
Alake added that collaboration between government agencies and stakeholders remains critical to ensuring compliance, improving revenue generation, and promoting sustainable growth within the solid minerals sector.
