Folalumi Alaran in Abuja
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has declared that the ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will overcome decades of corruption, economic instability, weak institutions and underdevelopment in Nigeria.
Speaking in Abuja at the maiden edition of the Solid Minerals Excellence Awards 2026, Alake said previous administrations lacked the political will to implement critical reforms needed to reposition the country’s economy.
According to him, the Tinubu administration remains committed to carrying out difficult but necessary reforms aimed at securing long-term national development rather than short-term political gains.
The minister explained that the current economic hardship being experienced across the country represents a painful but necessary transition required to build a stronger and more sustainable economy.
Drawing comparisons with reforms previously introduced in Lagos State, Alake noted that similar policies initially faced resistance before transforming the state into one of Africa’s largest economies through improved revenue generation, institutional efficiency and strategic planning.
Speaking on developments in the solid minerals sector, the minister said the federal government had identified mining as a key pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda and the country’s economic diversification drive aimed at reducing dependence on oil revenue.
He stated that the ministry had embarked on comprehensive reforms targeting illegal mining, insecurity, weak regulation, dormant licences and lack of transparency in the sector.
According to him, the digitisation of mining operations and licensing processes has improved transparency, simplified access to licences and attracted thousands of new investors and operators into the sector.
Alake further disclosed that the government reviewed dormant mining licences and strengthened compliance measures to ensure mining assets contribute directly to national development.
He added that over 2,000 trained personnel had been recruited and deployed under the Mining Marshals initiative to combat illegal mining and protect mining communities nationwide.
The minister said the initiative has already resulted in several arrests and prosecutions, while many operators have pledged to comply with government regulations.
He also stressed the need for Nigeria to prioritise local value addition and industrialisation, noting that Africa’s mineral resources had historically been exploited for the benefit of foreign economies since the colonial era.
According to him, the federal government was now encouraging local processing of minerals to stimulate industrial growth, create jobs, improve technology transfer and increase the sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Yusuf Yabo, said the event was not only a celebration of achievements in the mining sector but also a recognition of partnerships, investments, innovation and transformation under the current leadership of the ministry.
He noted that the federal government remains committed to repositioning the solid minerals sector as a major driver of economic diversification, industrial growth, job creation and national development.
Yabo commended the minister for his leadership and expressed optimism that the administration’s vision for the sector would be achieved.
Also speaking at the event, Oladunmi Owo described the awards as a historic platform established to recognise individuals, institutions and organisations promoting reforms, innovation and sustainable development within Nigeria’s mining industry.
Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer of D-Gold, Omur Sahinolu, said sustainable mining, responsible governance, technological innovation and credible investment frameworks remain critical to building a transparent and globally competitive mining industry in Nigeria.
Several individuals and organisations received awards at the ceremony in recognition of their contributions to the development of the solid minerals sector.