Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has announced that the reforms implemented by the President Bola Tinubu administration have led to a significant increase in investor interest in Nigeria’s mining sector.

Speaking at the Nigeria Middle East Investors Expo and Awards, Alake attributed the renewed interest to the federal government’s focus on solid minerals, which has redirected global attention to Nigeria’s mining sector, resulting in increased investments and revenue for the country.

The Minister highlighted the successes of his 7-point agenda, including the deployment of mining marshals, who have combated illegal mining activities, leading to the arrest and prosecution of over 300 illegal operators.

To enhance the mining marshals’ operations, Alake revealed plans to incorporate satellite monitoring of mining sites, allowing for real-time surveillance and prompt deployment of mobile mining marshals.

Alake urged investors to capitalize on Nigeria’s extensive mineral deposits, including over 40 million tonnes of talc, 1 billion metric tonnes of iron ore, and an estimated 10 metric tonnes of lead and zinc.

He also highlighted the recent launch of the Decision Support System (DSS), an online platform providing comprehensive information about Nigeria’s solid minerals sector to assist prospective investors.

The Minister affirmed Nigeria’s readiness for business, encouraging investors to take advantage of improved regulatory frameworks and incentives.

He noted that the country has over 44 globally sought critical minerals, and efforts are being made to increase funding for exploration to generate the necessary data to attract major international players and position Nigeria as a global mining destination.