By Kazeem Adeleke , Okechukwu Okechukwu and Faith Nkwoukwa
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has described Nasarawa State as pivotal to the advancement of Nigeria’s mining sector, citing its vast mineral resources and strategic importance to national development.
Alake spoke on Friday while receiving the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, and the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, at his office.
He said Nasarawa has remained a strong partner in efforts to harness the country’s solid minerals potential, particularly in the area of lithium development.
“Lithium, for instance, is quite massive in Nasarawa State. It is like an epicentre of mining in Nigeria, which is why it is important for us to always engage the governor and collaborate with him to scale up mining activities in the state,” Alake said.
He added that the ministry has received strong cooperation from both the governor and the Minister of Defence, noting that such collaboration is critical to the development of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
Alake further disclosed that reforms introduced in the mining sector over the past 17 months are beginning to yield positive results, with increasing interest from global investors in Nigeria’s mining industry.
In his remarks, Governor Sule commended Alake for effectively driving President Bola Tinubu’s agenda on solid minerals development. He acknowledged, however, that security challenges persist in some mining areas, underscoring the need for sustained collaboration with both the Solid Minerals and Defence ministries.
“The purpose of this meeting is to work together and find solutions to security challenges so that mining operations can continue unhindered,” Sule said.
The governor also revealed that lithium processing factories in Nasarawa State are currently operating optimally, with additional facilities under construction. He stressed the importance of continued partnership with the private sector to deepen the mining value chain in the state.
On his part, Defence Minister Badaru reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to eliminating banditry and other criminal activities across the country. He noted that security improvements have already enabled the resumption of mining exploration activities in Zamfara.
“The bandits are already on the run. The military will not rest until the country is fully secured. The President has given a clear directive to end insecurity in all parts of the country by the end of the year,” Badaru said.
He added that the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff and other security agencies are working round the clock to achieve the target.
