The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s transformative reforms in the solid minerals sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda, describing them as visionary and strategic steps toward economic diversification.

In a statement issued yesterday in Ogba, Lagos, the party’s spokesman, Seye Oladejo, said President Tinubu had broken new frontiers by repositioning Nigeria’s mining industry through comprehensive policy reforms aimed at unlocking the nation’s vast mineral potential.

“For decades, Nigeria’s economy relied excessively on oil revenues, leaving the solid minerals sector largely untapped. President Tinubu’s government has reversed that trend with a forward-looking blueprint that prioritizes diversification, transparency, and value addition,” Oladejo stated.

He listed several initiatives driving the transformation, including:

• Nigerian Mineral Resource Strategy (2024–2033): A 10-year master plan designed to attract investments, enhance geological data, and ensure community participation.
• Establishment of the Nigerian Solid Minerals Development Company (NSMDC): A state-backed enterprise partnering with private investors for exploration, processing, and exportation.
• Creation of Mineral Resource and Environmental Management Committees (MIREMCO) in all states to mediate community disputes, ensure environmental compliance, and safeguard host communities’ benefits.
• Mining Marshals Initiative: A specialized security unit under the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to combat illegal mining and protect legitimate operations.
• Regulatory and Investment Incentives: Including tax holidays, duty waivers for mining equipment, and full repatriation of profits. The digitized Mining Cadastre Office now provides transparent licensing and real-time tracking of applications.

Oladejo noted that these reforms have restored investor confidence and attracted significant foreign direct investments to Nigeria’s mining sector.

Among the major projects, he highlighted:

• A $500 million investment pledge by the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) for lithium and gold exploration in Nasarawa and Kaduna states.
• A partnership between Ogunlesi Group/Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) and local firms on granite and industrial mineral projects in Ogun and Kogi.
• Over $1.2 billion in Memoranda of Understanding signed with Chinese and Australian consortiums for lithium, zinc, and rare earth exploration across Plateau, Kebbi, and Cross River states.
• A Canadian-Nigerian joint venture developing gold refining facilities in Niger State, projected to generate 5,000 jobs and earn over $250 million annually in exports.

According to Oladejo, the administration now emphasizes local processing and beneficiation to ensure Nigeria exports finished products rather than raw minerals, creating jobs and expanding value chains. He added that the government is also partnering with the African Finance Corporation (AFC) and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to fund infrastructure supporting the mining ecosystem, including rail and industrial clusters.

The Lagos APC praised President Tinubu and the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, for redefining mining as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic future.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda has brought structure, accountability, and global recognition to a once-neglected sector,” Oladejo said. “Nigeria now stands on the threshold of a new industrial revolution powered by knowledge, technology, and responsible exploitation of its mineral wealth.”

He reaffirmed Lagos APC’s support for the administration’s ongoing reforms, expressing confidence that President Tinubu’s leadership will ensure every Nigerian benefits from the country’s abundant natural resources.The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s transformative reforms in the solid minerals sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda, describing them as visionary and strategic steps toward economic diversification.

In a statement issued yesterday in Ogba, Lagos, the party’s spokesman, Seye Oladejo, said President Tinubu had broken new frontiers by repositioning Nigeria’s mining industry through comprehensive policy reforms aimed at unlocking the nation’s vast mineral potential.

“For decades, Nigeria’s economy relied excessively on oil revenues, leaving the solid minerals sector largely untapped. President Tinubu’s government has reversed that trend with a forward-looking blueprint that prioritizes diversification, transparency, and value addition,” Oladejo stated.

He listed several initiatives driving the transformation, including:

• Nigerian Mineral Resource Strategy (2024–2033): A 10-year master plan designed to attract investments, enhance geological data, and ensure community participation.
• Establishment of the Nigerian Solid Minerals Development Company (NSMDC): A state-backed enterprise partnering with private investors for exploration, processing, and exportation.
• Creation of Mineral Resource and Environmental Management Committees (MIREMCO) in all states to mediate community disputes, ensure environmental compliance, and safeguard host communities’ benefits.
• Mining Marshals Initiative: A specialized security unit under the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to combat illegal mining and protect legitimate operations.
• Regulatory and Investment Incentives: Including tax holidays, duty waivers for mining equipment, and full repatriation of profits. The digitized Mining Cadastre Office now provides transparent licensing and real-time tracking of applications.

Oladejo noted that these reforms have restored investor confidence and attracted significant foreign direct investments to Nigeria’s mining sector.

Among the major projects, he highlighted:

• A $500 million investment pledge by the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) for lithium and gold exploration in Nasarawa and Kaduna states.
• A partnership between Ogunlesi Group/Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) and local firms on granite and industrial mineral projects in Ogun and Kogi.
• Over $1.2 billion in Memoranda of Understanding signed with Chinese and Australian consortiums for lithium, zinc, and rare earth exploration across Plateau, Kebbi, and Cross River states.
• A Canadian-Nigerian joint venture developing gold refining facilities in Niger State, projected to generate 5,000 jobs and earn over $250 million annually in exports.

According to Oladejo, the administration now emphasizes local processing and beneficiation to ensure Nigeria exports finished products rather than raw minerals, creating jobs and expanding value chains. He added that the government is also partnering with the African Finance Corporation (AFC) and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to fund infrastructure supporting the mining ecosystem, including rail and industrial clusters.

The Lagos APC praised President Tinubu and the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, for redefining mining as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic future.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda has brought structure, accountability, and global recognition to a once-neglected sector,” Oladejo said. “Nigeria now stands on the threshold of a new industrial revolution powered by knowledge, technology, and responsible exploitation of its mineral wealth.”

He reaffirmed Lagos APC’s support for the administration’s ongoing reforms, expressing confidence that President Tinubu’s leadership will ensure every Nigerian benefits from the country’s abundant natural resources.