Folalumi Alaran in Abuja
The federal government has intensified efforts to attract foreign investment into Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, reaffirming its commitment to ending the country’s dependence on raw mineral exports in favour of value addition and industrial development.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Henry Dele Alake, made the commitment yesterday in Abuja while launching the maiden edition of the Nigeria NOW! Global Investors Expo 2026, where he also accepted to serve as patron of the inaugural investment forum.
Represented by the Director-General of the Mining Cadastre Office, Engr. Obadiah Simon Nkom, the minister said the expo aligns with the federal government’s strategy of positioning Nigeria as a globally competitive investment destination and assured investors that the ministry would provide full institutional support to ensure the event delivers concrete investment outcomes.
“Our support will not end with today’s launch. The Ministry will continue to interface with EnergyNet Limited and relevant institutions throughout the preparatory period to ensure that the event is properly coordinated and capable of delivering tangible outcomes beyond speeches and ceremonial participation,” Alake said.
He stressed that Nigeria’s mining reforms are now focused on attracting patient capital, modern technology and responsible investors willing to establish processing, manufacturing and other value-addition projects rather than merely extracting and exporting raw minerals.
According to the minister, investors must also demonstrate commitment to complying with Nigerian laws, protecting host communities, safeguarding the environment and operating transparently.
Alake noted that the participation of the Ministries of Industry, Trade and Investment; Power; Petroleum Resources; and Solid Minerals Development reflects the broad investment opportunities available across the country’s mining, energy and infrastructure sectors.
He added that state governments would also use the platform to showcase bankable projects, infrastructure priorities and investment partnerships to local and international investors.
Speaking on behalf of EnergyNet, the company’s Portfolio Manager and Head of Corporate Development, Abdoulaye Sylla, said the Nigeria NOW! Global Investors Expo was conceived as a project-driven investment platform designed to connect government institutions and project developers directly with global investors.
He said the initiative followed extensive market assessments indicating that Nigeria is increasingly well-positioned to attract higher levels of foreign direct investment, adding that discussions would also focus on strategic infrastructure projects and multilateral initiatives, including Mission 300.
Sylla disclosed that between 500 and 600 delegates from across the world are expected at the inaugural edition of the expo scheduled for November 19 and 20, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo, represented by the Director of Mines Environmental Compliance, Dr. Vivian Okono, declared the event open.
Also speaking, Ambassador of the Youth Energy Summit (YES!) Nigeria and Co-founder of the Youth Sustainable Development Network, Damilola Hamid Balogun, underscored the importance of youth participation in delivering Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan and achieving the country’s net-zero emissions target by 2060.