Stakeholders in Nigeria’s mining sector have called for stronger partnerships, improved regulations, reliable geological data and increased investment to unlock the country’s mineral resources and drive sustainable economic growth.
They made the call at the 11th edition of Nigeria Mining Week 2026 in Abuja, where government representatives, mining operators, investors and development partners discussed ways to strengthen the solid minerals sector.
The President of the Miners Association of Nigeria, HRH Oba Ayandele Ayanleke, said collaboration among government, investors and industry stakeholders was essential to transforming the sector.
Speaking at the event, he said the annual gathering had, over the past decade, provided a platform for policy discussions, technological innovation, business partnerships and investment opportunities.
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He said this year’s theme, “Unlocking Investment and Growth through Partnerships,” reflected the need for collective action to develop Nigeria’s mining industry.
The Partner and Mining Industry Leader at PwC Nigeria, Cyril Azobu, said Nigeria must translate its mineral potential into commercially viable projects capable of attracting investment and generating sustainable economic value.
He said developing the sector required collaboration among government, mining companies, investors, financial institutions, host communities and development partners.
“The recently signed critical minerals framework between Nigeria and the United States is a timely example of the partnerships that can connect Nigeria’s mineral potential with the Investment, technology and expertise needed to develop it.” Azobu said.
According to him, Nigeria must create a predictable investment environment, develop credible mining projects and encourage investors and financial institutions to provide the capital required to advance them.
The Country Manager of Segilola Resources Operating Limited, Austin Menegbo, called for better coordination among government institutions to improve the investment environment for mining companies.
He said Nigeria needed a pipeline of credible projects to turn mineral discoveries into operating mines and expand the industry’s contribution to jobs, skills development and economic growth.
Menegbo cited the company’s experience as evidence that large-scale commercial gold mining was possible in Nigeria.
He said the mine produced 91,910 ounces of gold in 2025, adding that 99 per cent of its workforce was Nigerian.
However, he identified overlapping regulatory requirements, unclear approval timelines and conflicting directives from government agencies as challenges that could discourage investors.
He called for stronger coordination among ministries, departments and agencies, clearer approval procedures and effective mechanisms for resolving inter-agency disputes.
Segilola also urged sustained dialogue between government and industry stakeholders beyond annual conferences.
On illegal mining, he said enforcement should be complemented by technical training, improved access to finance, safety education and pathways that enable small-scale miners to operate legally.
Also speaking, the Head of Mission at the Embassy of Sweden in Nigeria, Ambassador Anna Westerholm, reaffirmed Sweden’s readiness to work with Nigeria to develop its mining industry.
Westerholm said countries that could demonstrate where minerals were extracted, who produced them and under what conditions would be better positioned to access markets with increasingly stringent supply-chain requirements.
She also highlighted the importance of community engagement, environmental protection and trust between mining companies and host communities.
The ambassador said Sweden was ready to connect Nigerian companies and government agencies with Swedish technology and expertise through its embassy and Business Sweden.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), Prof. Olusegun Ige in his goodwill message, emphasised the importance of geological information in attracting investment and supporting mineral exploration.
He said the agency provided geological data to support exploration but stressed that mining companies also had a responsibility to share information obtained from their licensed operations.
According to him, information held by individual miners and exploration companies could complement data provided by the agency and give investors a clearer picture of Nigeria’s mineral resources.
Professor Ige urged mining companies to submit relevant exploration findings to the appropriate authorities to improve the availability of geological information for public and industry use.
