By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Nigerian government has signed an MoU with the Republic of Türkiye to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the solid minerals sector, marking another important step in deepening economic collaboration between the two countries.
The agreement, which was signed on the sidelines of the recently held Istanbul Natural Resources Summit (INRES) in Istanbul, Türkiye, opens the door to greater collaboration in mining technology, exploration, digitisation, and capacity building,
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said Nigeria is ready to leverage Türkiye’s technological advancement and expertise in mining exploration, training, digitisation, licensing systems, and capacity building to accelerate reforms and growth within the sector.
The minister, who also serves as Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), noted that reforms introduced in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector over the past three years have transformed the operating environment and made the sector more attractive to genuine investors.
He said: “We remain committed to building a mining sector that is transparent, secure, and attractive to serious investors.
“Over the past three years, we have introduced major reforms, improved the ease of doing business, and intensified the fight against illegal mining. These efforts are already restoring investor confidence and driving greater interest in our mining sector.”
He appreciated the strong interest shown by Turkish investors and government officials in expanding cooperation with Nigeria across mining, energy, and hydrocarbons, stating that “Partnerships like this will play an important role in unlocking the full value of our natural resources for economic growth and job creation.”
The Minister noted that Türkiye is one of the countries Nigeria is confident of building strong bilateral cooperation with, particularly in the area of solid minerals development. “Nigeria is open to working with the Turkish government to strengthen governance structures, improve technical capacity, and advance sustainable mining development in our country,” he said.
He explained that the Federal Government has implemented far-reaching measures to sanitise the sector, improve ease of doing business, and create incentives for foreign investors willing to establish long-term partnerships in Nigeria.
“We have significantly improved the ease of doing business and strengthened institutional support for investors. Investors can now repatriate profits after due process, while government incentives have continued to attract serious mining stakeholders into Nigeria,” he said.
Alake also disclosed that the reforms have already triggered increased inflows of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the sector, and reassured investors of the federal government’s commitment to security and lawful mining operations.
Responding, Türkiye Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, described the new partnership with Nigeria as strategic and timely, noting that global energy security now demands stronger international cooperation and connectivity.
Bayraktar commended the Nigerian government for the reforms and initiatives already introduced in the solid minerals sector, stressing that Turkish companies are eager to invest in Nigeria.
“We are ready to invest in Nigeria because of the remarkable initiatives your government has put in place. We look forward to cooperation, support, and guidance that will enable both countries achieve meaningful results,” he said.
The Turkish minister further revealed that several Turkish industrial manufacturers and companies are interested in expanding operations into Nigeria beyond the mining sector, particularly in energy and hydrocarbons.
“Nigeria is a major player in the hydrocarbon industry. We would appreciate it if you convey to your President our desire to renew energy cooperation and contracts with Nigeria,” Bayraktar said.
He added that Türkiye is strategically expanding its engagement with African markets, with Nigeria positioned as a critical gateway for broader economic and energy partnerships across the continent.
