… seek stronger partnerships to unlock Nigeria’s mineral wealth
From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
Stakeholders in the mining sector have identified insecurity, regulatory conflicts and poor coordination among government agencies as major obstacles to investment and growth in Nigeria’s solid minerals industry.
They spoke at the opening of the 11th Nigeria Mining Week in Abuja, where government officials, operators, investors and international partners called for stronger collaboration to unlock the sector’s economic potential.
President of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Oba Ayandele Ayanleke, said insecurity along mining corridors and conflicts between federal and subnational authorities were undermining mining operations and investor confidence.
He called for stronger partnerships among local and international stakeholders to facilitate technology transfer, attract investments, create jobs and generate wealth.
Ayanleke also urged the government to provide a clearer regulatory framework to create a predictable business environment for investors.
On a recent mining incident, he said the government had established an investigative panel, urging stakeholders to await its findings.
Country Manager of Segilola Resources Operating Limited, Austin Menegbo, said Nigeria must build on the success of its first large-scale commercial gold mine to develop a competitive mining industry.
Menegbo disclosed that Segilola produced 91,910 ounces of gold in 2025, with Nigerians accounting for 99 per cent of its workforce.
He said the mine had demonstrated that responsible investment, technical expertise, effective regulation and sustained engagement with host communities could deliver globally competitive mining operations.
However, he identified regulatory uncertainty, illegal mining, insecurity, inadequate infrastructure and limited access to finance as challenges requiring urgent attention.
He called for coordinated government approvals, predictable regulatory timelines and sustained dialogue among operators, investors, host communities and other stakeholders.
Menegbo also advocated the formalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining through safety training, access to finance, technical support and cooperative structures.
He stressed that efforts to improve the investment climate must be matched with environmental protection, workers’ safety and responsible community engagement.
Similarly, Head of Mission of the Swedish Embassy in Nigeria, Ambassador Anna Westerholm, called for partnerships that prioritised local value addition, workers’ safety, community welfare and transparency.
Westerholm said Nigeria could benefit from Sweden’s expertise in mining technology, automation, skills development and responsible mineral production.
She noted that the success of mining projects depended largely on their impact on host communities and the environment, stressing the need for companies to earn public trust.
The Swedish envoy also highlighted the importance of mineral traceability, saying the ability to establish the origin of minerals and the conditions under which they were produced would strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in international markets.
She expressed Sweden’s readiness to deepen cooperation with Nigeria through technical expertise, trade and investment partnerships.
Earlier, Partner and Mining Industry Leader at PwC Nigeria, Cyril Azobu, said Nigeria must translate its vast mineral resources and growing international interest into bankable projects and sustainable economic growth.
He said this would require a predictable investment climate, credible projects and partnerships capable of connecting local opportunities with international capital, technology and expertise.
Azobu stressed the need to move beyond raw mineral exports towards domestic processing and value addition to maximise the economic benefits of mining.
He reaffirmed PwC Nigeria’s commitment to supporting the sector through technical expertise, regulatory guidance and engagement with industry stakeholders.
The 11th Nigeria Mining Week is being held under the theme, “Unlocking Investment and Growth through Partnerships.”
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