The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has urged the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to play a pivotal role towards reshaping the national consciousness of Nigerians as a strategic tool for achieving sustainable development.
The Minister was spoke to participants of NIPSS Course 47 (2025) during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja on Wednesday 30th of April 2025.
He underscored the urgent need to recalibrate societal attitudes in order to foster stronger governance, more effective policy execution, and national cohesion.
Dr. Alake, in a statement by Kania Maliki Andeyaba, Deputy Director/Head Press and Public Relations Department in the ministry, also noted that development is not solely dependent on economic strategies or physical infrastructure but, more on the collective mindset of the people.
He argued that unless the mental orientation of Nigerians aligns with national development goals, progress will remain sporadic and unsustainable.
The Minister tasked the institute to transform from its advisory role into one of active societal influence.
“Your mandate goes beyond writing reports,. You must engineer the transformation of our people’s attitudes to drive a national renaissance. If the mindset remains flawed, even the best policies will flounder.” the Minister stated
He observed that while the country has had numerous developmental blueprints over the years, implementation has often been a problem due to a disconnect between vision and execution.
The Minister urged NIPSS to step up its role by simplifying complex policy ideas into actionable strategies that can be embraced not just by government agencies, but also by communities and grassroots leaders who play crucial roles in policy implementation.
He pointed out that the long neglect of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector had allowed illegal operators which siphoned resources with impunity for decades.
But he said that the Ministry under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, has moved aggressively to reverse the trend through a combination of enforcement and reform.
Major achievements made in just one year, he said, included the arrest of over 300 illegal miners, ongoing prosecution of approximately 150 individuals—many of whom are foreign nationals—and the recovery of 98 illegal mining sites.
He said that the establishment of a specialized unit, the Mining Marshals, has been instrumental in the operations, leading to nine court convictions so far.
The Minister added that the ministry has also adopted a non-coercive approach to encourage compliance among artisanal miners.
Over 250 mining cooperative, he said, have been formed in the past year alone, enabling small-scale miners to operate within the law.
This formalization process, he said, enhanced transparency, proper monitoring, and significantly boosting government revenue through increased royalty collections.
The Minister noted that the accomplishments reflected a broader commitment by the Tinubu administration to stop systemic wastage and redirect national resources toward sustainable use.
“President Tinubu’s reforms are not just technical—they’re philosophical. They’re designed to change how government operates and how citizens relate to the state. If we don’t correct the mindset first, every other reform will hit a wall. That’s why your role at NIPSS is so important.” he said
Responding on behalf of the NIPSS delegation, Dr Musa Umar Emmanuel Mni expressed appreciation for the Minister’s candor and the clarity of his vision.
He described the engagement as both enlightening and motivating, noting that the insights gained would be invaluable to the course participants as they continue their studies.
Dr. Umar also praised the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development for its transparency and commitment to reform, particularly in aligning its strategies with Nigeria’s push toward a green and diversified economy.
He highlighted the importance of understanding the roles of key agencies such as the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), whose work is central to mineral development and environmental sustainability.
The visit ended on a hopeful note, with both parties agreeing on the need for continued collaboration.
Aligning with the renewed focus on economic diversification and national development, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Mary A. Ogbe, called on NIPSS to lead a national mindset transformation aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s vast solid mineral potential.
Drawing inspiration from Minister Dele Alake’s charges to NIPSS to galvanize thought leadership for sustainable growth, Dr. Ogbe underscored the pivotal role the Institute plays in shaping strategic national policies and attitudes.
She emphasized that mindset transformation is the missing link between Nigeria’s untapped mineral wealth and its ambitious developmental goals.
“Nigeria is blessed with 44 different solid mineral types in commercial quantities. Yet, the vast potential of this sector remains largely unrealized due to decades of underinvestment, regulatory gaps, and more critically, a lack of national urgency and awareness,
“We need institutions like NIPSS to foster a new national consciousness that prioritizes responsible and strategic exploitation of our natural resources.
“We need a shift in perception—one that views solid minerals not as mere commodities, but as levers for industrialization, job creation, and national prosperity.”
“We are counting on you to help reset the national dialogue around minerals from neglect to necessity.” she stated.