Nigeria and the U.S. have signed an agreement to deepen cooperation on critical minerals, with Nigeria seeking greater investment, local processing, technology transfer and job creation.

Solid minerals development minister Dele Alake signed for Nigeria, while deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau signed for the U.S. at Nigeria House in New York on the margins of the 81st UN General Assembly.

Mr Alake said Nigeria would not accept arrangements that left it supplying raw minerals while others created the value.

“We are not here to remain as a source of raw materials for the value that others create,” he said.

He said the agreement would promote cooperation across the mineral value chain, including geological data, exploration, processing, infrastructure and technical capacity.

Mr Alake said Nigeria wanted its mineral resources to generate industries, skills, jobs and investment, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s economic diversification and industrialisation agenda.

“The signatures are promises. In the months ahead, we will identify viable projects, mobilise investment and build commercial partnerships that deliver measurable benefits,” he said.

He said the framework’s success would be measured by projects developed, facilities built, and skills transferred to Nigerians.

Mr Landau described the agreement as a sign of deepening relations between Nigeria and the United States beyond the minerals sector.

“What this signifies beyond just the minerals is the signal that we are sending that the United States of America and the Federal Republic of Nigeria are partners,” he said.

He said the U.S. could provide capital, technical expertise and investment while respecting Nigeria’s sovereignty over its natural resources.

Mr Landau also backed Nigeria’s push to retain more value from its mineral resources, stating, “You don’t want to just be a source of raw materials. You want some of that value-added chain. I think those are very legitimate and compelling issues.”

The agreement followed months of engagements between Nigerian and U.S. officials on mining and critical minerals cooperation.

Nigeria has been promoting local processing to reduce dependence on raw mineral exports and increase domestic value addition.

(NAN)