The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to the implementation of the roadmap for the development of the energy transitions and critical minerals value chain in Nigeria.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, revealed this while declaring open a two-day Stakeholders Workshop on the implementation of the roadmap for the development of energy transition and critical minerals value chain in Nigeria.
At the event in Abuja, the Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Solid Minerals, Mr Faruk Yusuf Yabo, said the gathering was not just any other technical meeting, but “a strategic milestone in our journey to harnessing the immense potential of our mineral resources at a sustainable level, driving industrialization, and positioning Nigeria as a key player in the global energy position.”
He stressed that the context of the workshop could not be more urgent: “As we go around the world, the demand for this alongside rare earth elements and other critical inputs for energy transition. Technology is moving at an unprecedented pace. These are the backbones for solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, and their storage systems and, of course, other local technologies.
“And we all noticed that nations can develop competitive, strategic, sustainable, and well governing all value chains that stand out to be able to be leading in the emerging clean energy economy. Nigeria is blessed with abundant deposits of these minerals, and our mining sector remains underexposed and largely underdeveloped.”
“The roadmap we are incorporating today is aimed to change this by attracting investment and, of course, the critical and energy transition mineral value chain from exploration to utilisation; Building energy infrastructure and human capital; Strengthening governance, security, environmental compliance, and stewardship; Supporting artisanal and small-scale miners while promoting industrial scale operations; Ensuring that mining benefits flow equitably to our communities and contribute to a broader environment across federal, state, and local governments.
“This workshop is therefore unique because we are adopting a collaborative approach to policy making. In other words, we are today incorporating this particular roadmap. By doing that, we bring together governments, industries, communities, academia, and, of course, our development partners towards shaping the shared vision,” he added.
Mr Alake further noted that the roadmap will complement the Ministry’s seven-point agenda as well as which goes as far as aligning its continental framework such as the African rare mineral strategy and African mining vision thereby ensuring that Nigeria’s voice is strong at regional and global Forums.
He urged all participants of the workshop to be open-minded, forward-looking, and practical in their contributions during discussions. “Let us identify not just challenges but concrete actionable steps that will enable Nigeria to be competitive around these incorporated value chains towards job creation, industrial linkages, attracting investment, and supporting our commitment to the low-carbon future.