Nigeria, Türkiye Sign MoU for Solid Minerals Partnership
Nigeria and Türkiye have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the solid minerals sector, marking a significant step toward deeper economic collaboration between both countries. The agreement was recently signed on the sidelines of the Istanbul Natural Resources Summit in Istanbul, Turkey.
Nigeria's Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, announced that Nigeria is ready to leverage Türkiye's technological advancement and expertise in mining exploration, training, digitisation, and licensing systems to accelerate reforms within the sector. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given full backing to these efforts, with Alake noting that reforms introduced over the past three years have transformed the operating environment and made the sector more attractive to genuine investors.
The Federal Government has implemented measures to improve ease of doing business and create incentives for foreign investors. Mining Marshals have intensified crackdowns, arresting over 300 illegal mining operators (including foreign nationals) and recovering more than 100 illegal mining sites. Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, described the partnership as strategic and timely, with several Turkish industrial manufacturers interested in expanding operations into Nigeria beyond mining, particularly in energy and hydrocarbons.
This cooperation positions Nigeria as a critical gateway for Türkiye's broader economic and energy partnerships across Africa. With global energy security demanding stronger international cooperation, both countries see this as mutually beneficial for sustainable development and investment opportunities.