To overcome decades of corruption, economic instability, weak institutions, and underdevelopment in the country, the Honourable Minister of Solid Minarals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is embarking on far-reaching reforms.
Noting that other past administrations lacked the political will to address the issues, he said that the Tinubu’s administration remains committed to implementing difficult but necessary reforms.
He spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the maiden edition of the Solid Minerals Excellence Awards 2026.
The ceremony to be organized annually is to recognise excellence, leadership, innovation and outstanding contributions to the growth and sustainability of the nation’s solid minerals sector.
According to Minister, leadership must be driven by three critical principles of vision, knowledge, and courage.
Enduring national transformation, he said, can only be achieved through policies designed to benefit future generations rather than short-term political interests.
Stressing that many of the reforms currently being implemented by the Tinubu’s administration had long been identified as necessary, he insisted that previous administrations lacked the political will to execute them decisively due to resistance from beneficiaries of the old system.
Dr. Alake explained that the current economic hardship in the country is a painful but necessary transition period required to build a stronger and more sustainable economy.
Citing his experience in Lagos State, he said that similar reforms introduced years ago initially faced strong opposition before eventually transforming the state into one of Africa’s largest economies through improved revenue generation, institutional efficiency, and strategic economic planning.
Focusing on reforms in the Solid Minerals sector, the Minister said that the Federal Government identified mining as a major pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda and economic diversification policy.
This, he said, is to reduce dependence on oil revenue and drive diversification of the economy.
To change the old order in the Sector, Dr. Alake said that the ministry embarked on comprehensive reforms targeting illegal mining, weak regulation, insecurity, dormant licenses, and lack of transparency across the sector.
According to him, the digitization of mining operations and licensing processes has significantly improved transparency, simplified access to licenses, and attracted thousands of new investors and operators into the sector under Tinubu’s administration.
Other steps taken, he said, included reviewing dormant mining licenses and strengthening compliance measures to ensure mining assets contribute directly to national development and economic prosperity.
According to him, the government expanded the Mining Marshals initiative by recruiting and deploying over 2,000 trained personnel to combat illegal mining activities and protect mining communities nationwide.
The move, he said, has already led to several arrests, prosecutions, and increased compliance among mining operators.
Dr. Alake disclosed that many of the operators have now pledged to operate within the framework of government regulations.
He also pointed out that from the beginning of the colonial era, Africa’s mineral resources had historically been exploited for the benefit of foreign economies.
Nigeria, he said, must now prioritize local value addition, industrialization, and domestic beneficiation of mineral resources.
To this end, he said the Federal Government’s policy direction now is on encouraging local processing of minerals to stimulate industrial growth, improve technology transfer, create jobs, and increase the sector’s contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
In his welcome address the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Engr Yusuf Yabo, noted that the occasion was not only a celebration of achievements within the mining sector, but also a recognition of partnerships, investments, innovation, and transformation under the Minister.
He said that it also reflected the federal government’s commitment under President Tinubu’s administration to reposition the solid minerals sector as a key pillar for economic diversification, industrial growth, job creation and national development.
The Perm Sec stressed that the Minister of Solid Minerals Development remains committed to implementing reforms that strengthen transparency, attract investments, promote responsible mining and support local value addition, and building a globally competitive mining industry.
He said “The progress we are celebrating today has been made possible through collective efforts of both governments, private sector investors, development partners, community leaders, and industry stakeholders,
“To all our recipients and nominees, I congratulate you in advance for the outstanding contributions to the main sector, your achievements express confidence in the duty of Nigeria’s mineral industry.
Commending the Minister for his outstanding leadership qualities, he was optimistic that the very high vision of President Tinubu will be achieved with the caliber of people in the hall.
Speaking at the occasion, Oladunmi Owo, the President of SOMEA, noted that the Excellence Awards is a historic platform created to recognize and celebrate individuals, institutions, and organizations driving reforms, innovation, and sustainable development within Nigeria’s mining industry.
According to the Chief Executive officer of D-Gold, Omur Sahinolu, sustainable mining, responsible governance, technological innovation, and credible investment frameworks are essential to building a transparent and globally respected mining industry in Nigeria.
Various individuals and organizations at the occasion received different categories of award for their contributions to development of the sector.
Kania Maliki Andeyaba
Head (Press and Public Relations Department)
15th May, 2026
