President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has instructed the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to only issue mining licenses if they are tied to local value addition.
This is to ensure that young Nigerians are actively engaged in economic activities, acquiring skills and contributing to the overall development of the economy.
The President gave the directive on Wednesday during the opening session of the African Natural Resources & Energy Investment Summit, 2024, held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
President Tinubu, who was represented at the event by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, said his administration is fully committed to creating an enabling business environment to attract investment that encourages ‘value addition’ on solid minerals before they are exported.
President Tinubu noted that his administration’s target in the solid minerals sector is “to make Nigeria a leader in critical metals.”
While commending stakeholders for the establishment of the African Minerals Strategy Group with Nigeria as the first chairman of the initiative, the President said, “We aim to set new standards in the mining industry and ensure that Africa gets an equitable slice of supplying the world with critical metals.
In leveraging opportunities in the renewable energy space, President Tinubu explained that “Nigeria has attracted over $2 billion in investment in the renewable energy sector, making it a fast-growing sector in the economy.
He, however, emphasised that discussions on the energy transition must also include the significance of the petroleum industry as a cornerstone of the nation’s economy.
The President highlighted strategic priorities in the sector to include the goal to attract more investment in the oil and gas industry; grow oil production to 2.1 million barrels a day by December 2024; improve investment in midstream and downstream infrastructure; tackle theft; and hold developers accountable for the highest environmental standards.
President Tinubu further restated the administration’s commitment to manage resources responsibly, minimizing their ecological footprint and maximizing their benefits for the nation.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, announced the government’s strategy under the Renewed Hope Agenda to position Nigeria as a major player in the global minerals market.
The minister noted that the government is implementing wide-ranging reforms to create a more attractive environment for investors, with a focus on enhancing transparency, regulatory clarity, and investor confidence.
The plan, he explained, encompasses several key areas, including policy reforms, sustainable practices, infrastructure development, and human capital enhancement. These initiatives are designed to address longstanding challenges in the sector and unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s vast mineral resources.
(Editor : Ena Agbanoma)
