At the Solid Minerals Conference organized by BusinessDay Media Ltd on Thursday, the President of the Geological Society of Nigeria (GSN), Mr. Uba Saidu Malami delivered a keynote that framed the mining sector’s resilience through a geoscientific lens — calling for increased investment in mineral exploration, global alignment in reporting standards, and structural reforms that elevate Nigeria’s mineral data credibility.
The event which held at the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Abuja, had as theme, “Building a Resilient Mining Sector in Nigeria: Leveraging Diplomacy, International Partnerships, and Regulatory Coherence.”
Malami, who called on the federal government and the private sector to invest more in mineral exploration, stated: “The more money you put into exploration, the more data and credibility you give to your resource,” emphasized the role of geologists in converting Nigeria’s vast mineral potential into classified, investment-grade reserves.
He acknowledged the Council of Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG) as a national accreditation body, and emphasized the need for Nigeria to embrace “globally recognized standards such as JORC and NI 43-101, which are familiar to international investors.”
He disclosed that GSN is actively engaging authorized institutions in Canada, the USA and Ghana to enroll Nigerian geoscientists for JORC and NI 43-101, thereby closing the credibility gap and redefining the value of Nigerian geoscientists at home (in Nigeria) and in global markets.
Significantly, he noted the African Union’s progress in developing its own Pan-African Mineral Reporting Code (AMREC) and stressed the importance of aligning with this continental framework to increase investor confidence and regional coherence.
Addressing current concerns, he called for greater regulatory clarity and data transparency in relation to Chinese operators in Nigeria, many of whom operate with limited engagement in English or through standard reporting frameworks—hampering knowledge transfer and accountability.
He further highlighted GSN’s efforts to promote credible junior mining ventures, with the aim of enabling them to access Nigeria’s and international capital markets — an essential pathway to unlock the sector’s potential.
Ms. Roli Meggison, the moderator made a remark that captured the audience’s sentiment, saying: “I look forward to buying shares of a Nigerian junior mining company on the NGX.”
In Attendance – Distinguished Keynote Speakers and Industry Voices: Dr. Dele Alake, Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Federal Republic of Nigeria; Representative of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) – Director, Solid Minerals Unit; Representative of Women in Mining Nigeria (WIM); Mr. Tunde Fagbemi, Chairman, Dukia Gold; Mr. Uba Saidu Malami, President, Geological Society of Nigeria; Ms. Rose Chundung Ndong, President, Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS); Ms. Amina Ruth Sijuwade, Of Counsel, Advocaat Law Practice; Mr. David Raymond Edet, CEO, Unipro Investments Ltd.; Wolemi Esan, SAN, Deputy Managing Partner, Olaniwun Ajayi LP; Ibilola Ogunbiyi, Partner, Power & Infrastructure, Olaniwun Ajayi LP; Roli Meggison, Finance & Mining Specialist, Olaniwun Ajayi LP; Editor, BusinessDay Newspaper – representing the Publisher.
It is trite to conclude that GSN President’s keynote reaffirmed the critical role of geoscience in building investor trust, establishing project bankability, and unlocking structured finance for Nigeria’s mining future.
As stakeholders echoed the need for diplomacy, international partnerships, and regulatory coherence, the message was clear: Nigeria’s mineral wealth must be matched with scientific credibility and structured opportunity.
