Nigeria and the United States have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at expanding cooperation in the country’s solid minerals sector, with emphasis on exploration, processing, infrastructure and technical development.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, and the US Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau, at the Nigerian Mission House.
The framework provides for cooperation on geological data, mineral exploration and development, processing, infrastructure and technical capacity, according to the Federal Government.
The agreement also seeks to strengthen critical mineral supply chains through investment and greater cooperation between both countries.
Alake said the partnership would support Nigeria’s push to increase local value creation in the mining sector through domestic processing, skills development, job creation and opportunities for Nigerian businesses.
He added that the implementation of the framework would contribute to the Federal Government’s economic diversification plans and support industrial growth.
Landau said the agreement reflected stronger economic cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, with Washington expressing support for Nigeria’s economic development.
The pact comes as Nigeria seeks to attract more investment into its largely underdeveloped mining industry and reduce dependence on the export of unprocessed mineral resources.
Those present at the signing included Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development Yusuf Yabo, Director-General of the Nigerian Mining Cadastral Office Simon Nkom, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company Martin Imonitie and Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund Fatima Shinkafi.
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