Impressed with performance in the mining sector, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has disclosed that the sector is presently contributing 4.61% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Nigerian economy from the less than 0.5% it was contributing 10 years ago.
He gave the statistics on Friday during the Pre-Event Press Briefing on the 10th Edition of the Nigeria Mining Week.
The week is scheduled to hold in Abuja from the 13th to the 15th of October, 2025.
The Minister attributed the increasing GDP contribution to increasing mining operations and more companies investments into the sector.
Dr. Alake said "The theme, "Nigeria Mining: From Progress to Global Relevance," speaks directly to our journey. Ten years ago, Nigeria's contribution from mining to GDP was less than 0.5 percent. Today, the figure has grown to about 1.8 percent, with an increased target within the next few years.
"In practical terms, this means more mines in operation, more companies investing, and more communities being impacted by mining activity.
"The ideas of stronger data, more investment, and greater beneficiation that seemed far off are now realities shaping the sector.
"When this platform began a decade ago, it was a modest effort to bring stakeholders together. Over the years, it has grown into the leading forum for dialogue on the future of mining in Nigeria.
"It has given us the opportunity to measure our progress, confront our challenges, and agree on a collective path forward. This 10th edition is therefore a landmark that reflects how far we have come and the responsibility we bear for the years ahead." Dr. Alake stated.
Stressing that Nigeria's focus is now beyond domestic reform, he said the country is positioning to compete globally and to be recognized as a mining investment destination of choice.
To achieve this, the Minister said Nigeria is leveraging on its vast mineral endowment, improving regulatory environment, and commitment to sustainable development.
Dr. Alake also reeled out the major achievements in the mining sector, stressing that the Ministry in the past two years has pursued reforms aimed at improving transparency, de-risking investment, and unlocking value across the mineral value chain.
Some of the key achievements in the sector, he said, include: "The strengthening of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) to catalyze private sector financing:
"Ongoing geological mapping and data digitization to enhance investor confidence;
"Establishment of Mining Marshalls working in collaboration with security agencies to tackle illegal mining and ensure safety in mining communities;
"The strengthening of the Mining Cadastral Office for transparent licensing:
"The new Solid Minerals Development Roadmap, which focuses on beneficiation, infrastructure, and local content;
"The deployment of the Nigerian Mineral Resources Decision Support System (NMRDSS) a digital platform that simplifies access to geological data and investment information.
"Development of value addition and beneficiation frameworks to promote local processing and job creation;
“The introduction of new guidelines for Community Development Agreements (CDAs) that ensure host communities benefit directly from mining activities, and Establishment of Nigerian Solid Minerals Company." he stated
Noting that this year's edition promises to be the most impactful, the Minister said those expected included about 100 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge mining technologies and equipment; more than 1,000 delegates and participants from within and outside Nigeria:
Also expected, he said, are several international mining delegations from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, which reflect growing global interest in Nigeria's mineral potential
The week, according to him, will have high-level panel sessions and investment forums featuring global mining executives, financiers, and policy makers, with Government-to-Business (G2B) and Business-to-Business (B2B) networking opportunities.
The Minister said the week will also have an expanded investment pavilion highlighting Nigeria's critical minerals, including lithium, gold, tin, and rare earth elements.
He said "As we approach the Nigerian Mining Week, I call on all stakeholders, industry players, investors, media practitioners, and indeed the Nigerian public to join us in making this milestone event a resounding success.
"This platform is not just about celebrating our achievements; it is about consolidating our progress, attracting responsible investment, and ensuring that the mining sector contributes meaningfully to Nigeria's industrialization and economic resilience.
"The journey from progress to global relevance is both ambitious and achievable. Together, through collaborative efforts, innovation, and steadfast commitment, we will reposition Nigeria as a major force in the global mining landscape." Dr. Alake said
Delivering the welcome address, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Engr Faruk Yusuf Yabo, said that the week is going to be a story of Nigeria's mining progress, and shared mission.
According to him, the theme was deliberately crafted.
The sector, the Permanent Secretary said, has witnessed tremendous progress, in the economy previously and highly dominated by the oil industry.
The National President of Miners Association of Nigeria, Mr Dele Ayanleke, said the 10th Edition represents a celebration of a decade of impact, innovation, and collaboration in Nigeria's solid minerals sector, and not just a continuation of tradition.
In the past ten years, he said that Nigeria Mining Week has remained a catalyst for sectoral dialogue, innovation, and reform bridging the gap between policy and practice, operators and investors, and ideas and implementation.
"Through this platform, we have seen the introduction of cutting-edge technologies, policy reforms, strategic partnerships, and capacity-building initiatives that continue to redefine the mining landscape in Nigeria.
"Today, our sector stands more vibrant and structured. We have witnessed significant strides in exploration, formalization of artisanal mining, growth in investment inflows, and the adoption of modern technologies to drive sustainability.
"Minerals such as gold, limestone, barite, lithium and bitumen have gained renewed attention, and through enhanced collaboration, we are seeing tangible contributions to job creation, community development, and economic diversification.
Despite achievements in the sector, he noted that there are challenges including regulatory, insecurity, illegality, Infrastructure gaps, access to finance, and capacity-building needs.
He commended the Minister for his exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to repositioning Nigeria's mining sector.
On his part, Partner and Head Mining Sector Business Development, PwC Nigeria, Habeeb Jaiyeola, said the week is the foremost platform for shaping the conversation on Nigeria's mining sector-driving dialogue, building consensus, and crafting solutions that position mining as a true engine of shared prosperity for all Nigerians.
He said that Nigeria, over the past decade, has taken decisive steps to reposition mining as a key driver of economic diversification.
"From policy reforms to technological integration, from local empowerment to international partnerships, the journey has been both challenging and transformative. And now, as we mark this important milestone, we stand on the cusp of even greater things.
"PwC Nigeria is a prominent advisor and supporter of the Nigerian mining industry, providing a range of advisory, assurance, and tax services to help unlock opportunities, attract investment, and address challenges within the sector.
"As leading advisors to the mining industry, PwC works with clients to unlock opportunities in their industry. We have over 1500 mining professionals in all significant mining territories.
"The strength in serving this global industry comes from highly developed skills, experience, and the strong interconnection we maintain across our global industry specialists." he stated
This year's theme, he said, will be speaking to Building Investor-Ready Mining Business Models, Local Value Addition through Mineral Processing Technologies, Unlocking Small-Scale Mining Finance, ESG Compliance and Reporting Standards for Nigerian Mines, Growing Nigeria's Indigenous Junior Mining Sector, and other side forums running concurrently.
Samukelo Madlabane, Event Director - Mining, VUKA Group, said that what began as a conversation around potential has evolved into a driving force for national development, powered by visionary leadership, resilient entrepreneurs, and a renewed commitment to value addition.
"This milestone edition, held under the theme "Nigerian Mining: From Progress to Global Relevance," builds on that momentum convening the country's most influential policymakers, investors, and operators to chart the next decade of growth.
"Across this year's programme, discussions focus on exploration finance, the rise of indigenous junior miners, and the creation of a globally competitive investment climate. The Kaduna Mining Development Company (KMDC) Deal Room returns as a flagship feature, unlocking new investment pipelines and partnerships.
"The Steel Forum highlights Nigeria's industrial backbone, while Nigeria Gold Day, powered by the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), showcases the country's potential to become a continental leader in gold exploration and beneficiation.
"Together, these sessions reaffirm Nigeria's readiness to lead Africa's mineral transformation - connecting exploration with industry, and mining with manufacturing." he stated