By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has partnered the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to launch an initiative, known as the Early-stage Minerals Exploration and Research Grant Endowment (EMERGE).
The landmark initiative, which was recently launched, is designed to catalyze investment, innovation, and research within Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
Developed by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and implemented through the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), EMERGE aims to bridge the historical financing gaps constraining early-stage mineral exploration in Nigeria.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, revealed the sector’s remarkable trajectory, with revenue soaring from ₦16 billion in 2023 to over ₦70 billion by the end of 2025.
He described EMERGE as a “transformative intervention that will unlock deep opportunities across the mining value chain.”
The program, according to a statement posted on the NGF’s X social media handle on Friday, introduces three distinct funding streams including exploration grants to de-risk early-stage site investigations; critical minerals grants, focused on innovative mineral processing technologies; and as well, Research & Development Grants, dedicated to supporting geoscience and processing research within higher education institutions.
It said: “Beneficiaries will also gain access to the EMERGE Accelerator Programme, providing vital technical training, business advisory, and investment-readiness support.”
The NGF delegation at the launch was led by Dr. Abdulateef Shittu, Director-General, NGF, alongside Aisha Yaman, Senior Solid Minerals Analyst and Fatima Usman Katsina, Head of Liaison.
“The Forum’s active participation underscores its commitment to driving reforms that enhance solid minerals governance.
“As a long-standing partner of the Ministry and the SMDF, the NGF continues to champion federal-subnational collaborations that foster sustainable resource management, attract private investment, and accelerate economic diversification across all 36 states,” the statement added.