The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to implementing the Roadmap for developing Nigeria’s energy transition and critical minerals value chain.
This was stated by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Minerals, Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo, FNSE, during the opening of the two-day Stakeholders Workshop on implementing the Roadmap for developing Nigeria’s energy transition and critical minerals value chain.
In his address in Abuja, Dr. Alake stated: “Today’s gathering is not just another technical meeting. It marks a strategic milestone in our journey to harness the immense potential of our mineral resources sustainably, drive industrialization, and position Nigeria as a key player in the global energy sector.”
He emphasized that the timing of this workshop is especially critical.
“Across the world, the demand for these resources—alongside rare earth elements and other critical inputs for energy transition—is rapidly increasing. Technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, and these materials form the backbone of solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, their storage systems, and various other local technologies.”
“We have observed that nations capable of developing competitive, strategic, and sustainable governance across the entire value chain are positioned to lead in the emerging clean energy economy. Nigeria is blessed with abundant deposits of these minerals, yet our mining sector remains underexposed and largely underdeveloped.”
He added that: “The roadmap we are adopting today is designed to transform our sector by:
A. Attracting investment into the critical and energy transition mineral value chain, from exploration to utilization. B) Building energy infrastructure and developing human capital. C) Strengthening governance, security, environmental compliance, and stewardship. D). Supporting artisanal and small-scale miners while promoting industrial-scale operations. E. Ensuring mining benefits flow equitably to our communities and contribute broadly across federal, state, and local governments.”
Furthermore he said; “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.”
“The Minister further emphasized that the roadmap will complement the Ministry’s seven-point agenda and align with continental frameworks, including the African Rare Minerals Strategy and the African Mining Vision. This alignment will ensure that Nigeria’s voice remains prominent in both regional and global forums.”
“He also stated, ‘On this note, I urge all participants to be open-minded, forward-looking, and practical in our contributions during discussions. Let us focus not only on the challenges but also on concrete, actionable steps that will enable Nigeria to be competitive within these integrated value chains, driving job creation, fostering industrial linkages, attracting investment, and supporting our commitment to a low-carbon future.'”
“Similarly, a paper presented by Engr. Obadiah Nkom, Director General of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, titled ‘Implementation of the 2016 Nigerian Roadmap: Overview of the Mineral Sector,’ explored the historical background and challenges faced by the sector prior to the 2016 Roadmap. It also provided an overview of the 2016 Roadmap and assessed the current status of its implementation.”
According to Engr. Nkom, the historical background of the Nigerian mining sector dates back to 1902, when the colonial administration commenced organized mining activities.
He explained that in 1905, mining surveys were established, with the first mineral mined being cassiterite, by the Royal Niger Company. In 1906, coal exploration and mining began. By 1914, other minerals were discovered in commercial quantities, with gold being the second mineral mined commercially in Niger and Kogi States.
“By 1919, there was an establishment of Geological survey as a Department. In 1946, the Mineral Ordinance was constituted. In 1950, coal ordinance resulted in the establishment of Nigeria Coal Corporation by government.
“By 1964, the explosive act was constituted. This continued up to 2024, which brought about Nigerian Mineral Value Chain Regulations.”
Engr. Nkom further stated that the challenges of the sector prior to 2016 roadmap include: Poor Policy initiatives, inadequate geoscience data generation, industry tilted to small-scale miners, limited stakeholders leverage..
He further stressed that some of the objectives of the RoadMap include economic diversification:
The roadmap focuses on reducing economic reliance by developing mining as a key growth sector, increasing mineral production: Efforts aim to boost mineral output to strengthen the mining sector’s contribution to the economy.
Attracting investment and creating jobs: The roadmap seeks to attract financial investment and create employment opportunities in mining.
Sustainable Resource Management: Ensuring responsible use of resources to maintain environmental and economic sustainability.
According to Engr. Nkom, the roadmap implementation time frames were categorised as immediate- Initiative that need to begin right away (June 2016), short-term initiatives between the first 6 months and 2 years of the plan going into Long-term Initiatives-Between years 5 and 10 of the plan, Ongoing initiatives: Initiatives that span the lifetime of the plan and may be revisited.
He also stressed that the end result of an overview of the 2016 Road Map was mapped as immediate: Launch roadmap and begin communication campaign to generate industry buy-in; Setup Mining implementation and Strategy Team (MIST) to drive execution of the RoadMap. Design/establish process for strategic planning, Finalize review-Identify gaps
For the short term: prioritize domestic minerals use & reduce export-Restructure MSMD for efficiency, -Create new regulatory agency,- Review Laws and policies for impact – Incentivize Private investment, and support ASM.
Medium Term: Collaborate with states on mining policy-Strengthen community engagement, harmonise incentive for miners-Encourage formalisation of operations.
Long Term: Expand infrastructure for mining.
Invest in mining community education. Grow Value-added products.
Ongoing: Enforce existing laws & rules
-Enforce labour regulations-collaborate with other MDAs
-Support mineral exploration
-Maintain industry data.
He further revealed that the Value Addition Policy has led to significant investments in the sector, including the inauguration of a $100 million lithium battery plant (Avatar Energy) in Nasarawa in May 2024, with a daily production capacity of 4,000 tons and the potential to create 4,000 jobs. The policy has also spurred the development of a $600 million lithium plant near the Kaduna–Niger border, which is set to be commissioned soon, as well as a $200 million refinery on the outskirts of Abuja, now in advanced stages of completion. In addition, NASENI and the Rural Electrification Agency signed a $150 million agreement in 2023 to establish a lithium-ion battery manufacturing and processing factory.
Also, the World Bank, in its presentations at the workshop, stressed the surging global demand for ETCMs . It further stated that the energy transition could increase demand for minerals like Lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements by up to 500% by 2050.
The presentation also stressed on Nigeria’s significant potential in ETCMs, noting that Nigeria holds confirmed reserves of Lithium, tin, niobium, tantalum, manganese, iron ore, and lead/zinc.
It further disclosed that Lithium is found across Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, and Ekiti States.
According to the World Bank, the strategic urgency created by global supply chain realignments has led countries to restore supply chains and introduce policies—such as the EU Critical Raw Materials Act—which are narrowing the window for Nigeria to secure its position in global Energy Transition Critical Minerals (ETCM) value chains. The Bank also noted that, when aligned with national industrial policy goals, ETCMs can significantly support these objectives.
The workshop later went into breakout sessions for more technical deliberations and discussions as well as presentations of their conclusions.
The workshop is attended by Director-Generals and Chief Executive Officers from the Nigerian Solid Minerals sector, directors from other MDAs, representatives of state and local governments, development partners—particularly representatives of the World Bank and its partners—industry leaders, members of the academia, and representatives of mining communities.
