Gold, lithium plants positioning Nigeria as Africa’s minerals hub –Alake

*Dr. Dele Alake, Minister for Solid Minerals Development, affirms Nigeria’s value-addition policy is already yielding tangible results, with a gold refining plant of very high purity now operational, and three upcoming refineries, as well as $600 million lithium processing plant set for commissioning n Nasarawa State

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Nigerian Government has said the establishment of lithium processing and gold refining plants is fast positioning the West African country as Africa’s leading minerals hub and critical global partner in minerals essential for the transition to green energy.

Dr. Dele Alake, Honourable Minister for Solid Minerals Development (MSMD), affirmed this development during a meeting with Mr. Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, Saudi Arabian Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, ahead of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Alake stated that Nigeria’s value-addition policy is already yielding tangible results, with a gold refining plant of very high purity now operational in Lagos, three additional gold refineries at various stages of development, and a $600 million lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State ready for commissioning.

He lauded Saudi Arabia for the country’s pivotal role in expanding opportunities for collaboration among governments across Africa, the Middle-East, Asia, and Europe through the Future Minerals Forum.

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Gold, Lithium Plants Positioning Nigeria As Africa’s Minerals Hub –Alake

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Alake stressed that Nigeria is eager to deepen its partnership with the Kingdom by leveraging areas of comparative advantage in solid minerals development.

Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, in a statement Tuesday, January 13, 2026, noted Alake also said: “There are areas of comparative advantage where Saudi Arabia excels and others where Nigeria has strengths.

“We are keen on structuring agreements that will enable us engage meaningfully and constructively.”

The Minister stated: “Priority areas include capacity building, training of mining professionals, technology transfer, and particularly exploration, where Saudi Arabia has demonstrated some expertise.”

On Nigeria’s vast critical minerals, rare earth elements

Alake, at the meeting, highlighted Nigeria’s vast landmass, which he noted is endowed with abundant critical minerals and rare earth elements required by the global economy.

This underscores the importance of leveraging the FMF platform to fine-tune actionable partnerships based on fairness equity and mutual benefit, stated he.

Recalling engagements following the FMF 2025, Dr. Alake disclosed a joint working group comprising the Nigerian delegation and the Saudi Chamber of Commerce has been active over the past year.

The Minister noted that the group’s report is ready, and would be presented before the close of the current forum.

He further highlighted mineral traceability, Environmental, Social and Governance standards (ESG), and mine-pit remediation as priority areas requiring collaboration.

According to him, mineral traceability boosts investor confidence and should form a core component of any partnership, alongside clear implementation timelines and robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

In his remarks, Saudi Arabian Minister Al-Khorayef reaffirmed Nigeria’s status as a longstanding ally of Saudi Arabia.

He subscribed to the need for a practical and actionable agreement on solid minerals development.

The Minister then, proposed that the working group develops a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), based on previous engagements for possible signing on the sidelines of the conference.

Al-Khorayef urged Nigeria to leverage the FMF platform to showcase investment opportunities in its mining sector to Saudi investors, while encouraging African countries to adopt advanced technologies in mining development.

The Minister stated that Nigeria could benefit from Saudi Arabia’s progress in this area as well.

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