The Federal government has launched the EMERGE Programme under the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), a major initiative aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s mining sector through structured exploration, critical minerals development, and research-led industrialisation.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, said the programme represents a continuation of reforms designed to build a stronger economic foundation for future generations through the mining sector.
“What we are doing here today is just a continuation of those policies and reforms designed to make Nigeria a concrete and solid foundation on which future generations will build,” he said.
Dr. Alake explained that EMERGE is structured around three interconnected streams: exploration, critical minerals, and research and development, describing them as the backbone of a fully integrated mining value chain.
He said the exploration stream provides the foundation for mineral discovery, while the critical minerals stream supports resources required for the global energy transition. The research and development component, he added, is focused on geoscience and mineral processing innovation to ensure value addition within Nigeria.
“It is this combination, and the critical minerals stream in particular, that begins the real domestication of the supply chain,” the Minister said. “For the first time, we are funding not only the digging, but the science of turning what we find into finished higher-value products on Nigerian soil.”
Dr. Alake stressed that the programme moves Nigeria away from raw extraction towards full value chain development, adding that the government is building a “corridor of support” for investors and researchers.
“This government is no longer offering a single door; it is offering a full corridor of support from geological data to final product development,” he said.
He also disclosed that the SMDF has made significant progress in attracting investment, including a major aluminium refinery project estimated at about 1.5 million metric tonnes per annum.
In a major policy shift, the Minister announced the introduction of dedicated grants for research in universities and research institutions.
“For the first time in the history of our country, we are offering purposeful, dedicated grants for geoscience and mineral processing research,” he said. “The next breakthrough in processing lithium, gold, or rare earth metals could well come from a laboratory in one of our universities.”
He added that the programme would be implemented through catalytic grants, co-financing mechanisms, and pathways to private investment to reduce risk for entrepreneurs.
“Mining entrepreneurs in Nigeria have honestly never had it so good,” he said. “The support is there for those willing to apply and innovate.”
Dr. Alake further assured that the selection process would be transparent and merit-based.
“Applications will be assessed strictly on merit, and the process is independently administered by a team of experts,” he said.
He commended the leadership of the SMDF and partners involved in delivering the initiative, while urging stakeholders to remain committed to reforms in the sector.
In her welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the SMDF, Fatima Shinkafi, described EMERGE as a structured framework designed to strengthen Nigeria’s mineral value chain from exploration to production.
“EMERGE spans early-stage exploration and research, project development, advanced construction, and production,” she said. “These are not isolated interventions, but a single coherent framework.”
She said the programme aligns with national objectives to diversify the economy and build a more productive and prosperous mining sector.
“We are in a new era where mineral wealth must be processed and retained within the country,” she said. “With the launch of EMERGE, we take another deliberate step towards a sector that creates value at home and rewards the nation.”
Shinkafi emphasised the importance of data in modern mining, describing it as a critical national asset.
“Data is the new oil,” she said. “You cannot do new mining projects without data. Exploration tells you what lies under the ground, and that is where everything begins.”
She explained that SMDF has strengthened its capacity to support investors and indigenous miners through improved systems and partnerships.
“We are building capacity within the institution so that we can support the sector effectively,” she said. “Today, SMDF is able to sit at the table and deliver the technical and financial support required for transformation.”
Shinkafi thanked partners including PwC, programme administrators, and SMDF staff for their role in the successful launch of EMERGE.
The EMERGE Programme is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s mineral value chain, attract investment, and position the country as a key player in the global critical minerals economy.
