The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has urged youths to explore Nigeria’s mineral opportunities instead of jobs abroad.

Mr Alake made the call in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, on Sunday in Abuja.

He spoke at a conference to mark the African Mining Week in Cape Town, South Africa, with the theme, “Vision and Strategy – Setting the stage for Minerals Industrialisation.’’

The minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Farouk Yabo, underscored the continent’s strategic role in powering the 21st century economy through its vast mineral wealth.

He said, “Our youths should no longer seek jobs abroad while opportunities lie buried beneath their feet. The time to industrialise is now. Let us set the stage for an Africa that is not just a participant in the global minerals economy, but a driver of its future.”

According to the minister, Africa’s minerals have powered industrilisation elsewhere while the continent’s economies remain under-industrialised.

He called for an end to such paradox, stating that Africa’s vision must be clear in moving from extractive dependence to transformative industrialisation

He said that Africa must move from a raw minerals supplier to a global hub for mineral processing, innovation and green industrialisation

“Nigeria is incentivising local beneficiation from gold refining to lithium processing and revoking dormant licences to promote serious investment. Nigeria is also strengthening governance and transparency to attract credible global partners, while building a national critical minerals strategy,” he stated. 

Mr Alake, who doubles as the Chairman of the African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) on the sidelines of the week, also intimated the ministerial roundtable of Nigeria’s efforts to create a one trillion-dollar economy by 2030.

He urged African countries to prioritise mapping their mineral resources and provide effective supervision to ensure that only licenced operators engaged in mining.

He stated, “Nigeria is investing in digitising mining processes from data accessibility to mineral traceability. We are also focusing on bequeathing strong institutions and the right policies to drive reforms.”

(NAN)