Nigeria’s mining industry leaders have called for stronger partnerships among government, investors, mining operators and development partners to translate the country’s mineral wealth into bankable projects, sustainable investments and economic growth.
They made the call at the opening of the 11th edition of Nigeria Mining Week 2026 at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja, with a shared emphasis on creating a predictable investment environment, attracting capital, strengthening local processing and improving the sector’s contribution to the economy.
The event, with the theme “Unlocking Investment and Growth through Partnerships,” brings together stakeholders to explore investment opportunities, address industry challenges and develop practical strategies for advancing Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
Cyril Azobu, Partner and Mining Industry Leader at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Nigeria, in his opening address, said unlocking the country’s mineral potential required more than abundant resources, stressing the need for collaboration to develop viable projects and generate lasting economic value.
Azobu noted that Nigeria had recorded encouraging progress over the past year, including growing international interest in its critical minerals and efforts to move beyond exporting raw minerals towards domestic processing and value addition.
He cited the recently signed critical minerals framework between Nigeria and the United States as an example of how international partnerships could connect the country’s mineral resources with the investment, technology and expertise required to develop them.
According to him, the priority is to convert Nigeria’s mineral potential into bankable projects and productive assets by creating a predictable investment environment, strengthening confidence in credible and responsible mining ventures, and encouraging investors and financial institutions to provide the capital needed for development.
He added that partnerships capable of combining local knowledge with international expertise, technology and financing would be essential for Nigeria to participate more effectively in the global minerals market.
Azobu reaffirmed PwC Nigeria’s commitment to supporting the development of the mining industry through advisory services and its global network, which help clients and stakeholders navigate regulatory and operational challenges, assess transactions and pursue more sustainable mining practices.
He also highlighted the continued collaboration between PwC, the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Miners Association of Nigeria in organising the annual event, describing its sustained growth as evidence of the value of cooperation across the sector.
The CEO, Titan Minerals Limited – the Diamond-Plus-Sponsor of the 11th Nigeria Mining Week, Mr. Fadi Abou Ghazale said his company will remain committed to providing world class mineral exploration services.
The Titan minerals boss who spoke to our correspondent on the sidelines of the event stated: “Our team has a broad range of geological and commodity experience, industry kmowledge and expertise.”
In his welcome address, the president of the Miners Association of Nigeria, HRH Oba Ayandele Olaitan Oyebisi Ayanleke Elegbede, Gbolahan II, said Nigeria Mining Week had, over the past decade, become an important platform for shaping the development of the country’s solid minerals industry.
He said the event had facilitated the exchange of innovative ideas, introduced emerging global technologies and operational methods, promoted regulatory improvements, and connected local operators with domestic and international investors.
According to him, the platform has also provided opportunities for small-scale mining titleholders and indigenous operators to improve their understanding of global best practices and local operating standards.
Oyebisi said the theme reflected the association’s longstanding position that collaboration was indispensable to transforming the sector, adding that partnerships with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, investors, sponsors and other industry stakeholders had contributed to policy development, improved operational standards and stronger confidence in mining.
“No single party can carry the weight of the transformation Nigeria requires,” he said.
The association president said this year’s programme was designed to promote investment, improve safety, support artisanal and small-scale miners, and strengthen compliance with international best practices.
He identified the Deal Room, Nigeria Steel Forum, Gold Day, Women in Extractive Industries Forum, chief executive officers’ roundtable and technical workshops as key components of the programme.
The sessions will address issues including mineral exploration, financing, processing, infrastructure, transparency and regional collaboration, with the aim of connecting industry discussions to practical outcomes and facilitating direct engagement between mining operators and investors.
Oyebisi also acknowledged the contributions of PwC as knowledge partner, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) as transparency partner, and the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development as host, alongside sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, government agencies, industry associations and the media.
The speakers stressed the need to move beyond discussions about Nigeria’s mineral endowment towards building the partnerships, investment conditions and technical capacity required to develop commercially viable mining projects.
