Solid Minerals: FG Inaugurates Nigeria-US Committee On Strategic Cooperation

The Federal Government has inaugurated the Nigeria-United States Committee on Strategic Cooperation in the Solid Minerals Sector in Abuja to advance the partnership with the US. This came weeks after the Federal Government and the United States of America signed a memorandum of understanding to boost the development of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly between Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, and the US Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau, at the Nigerian Mission House in New York, United States. The minister, who inaugurated the committee, however, refuted claims that Nigeria sold $700 billion worth of solid minerals to America.

“I inaugurated the Nigeria-United States Committee on Strategic Cooperation in the Solid Minerals Sector in Abuja to advance our partnership with the United States and set the record straight on reports claiming Nigeria sold $700 billion worth of solid minerals to America,” Alake stated in a post on X. “Let me be very clear. Nigeria has not sold its mineral assets.” He explained that the agreement signed with the US was a government-to-government framework designed to connect American investors with Nigerian businesses.

“It is about attracting investment, sharing technology, expanding local processing and creating jobs. “Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, we are determined to move beyond an economy heavily dependent on oil,” he said. The minister stated that Nigeria’s mineral resources must create greater value at home and deliver lasting benefits to Nigerians.

“That is why local processing is now a key requirement for investors seeking mineral titles. “Our partnership with the US offers an opportunity to match Nigeria’s vast resources with the capital and technology needed to build a stronger mining industry. The progress we are seeing in mineral processing reflects this direction,” he added. Alake urged the committee to approach the responsibility with diligence, identify viable investment opportunities and turn the agreement into measurable results that support President Tinubu’s $1 trillion economy target.

According to him, the focus is ensuring that Nigeria’s mineral wealth creates jobs, strengthens our economy and delivers real value to our people. At the signing of the MoU in September, the minister had said that the implementation would achieve the economic diversification goals of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and boost industrial growth.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, and the US deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau, at the Nigerian Mission House in New York, United States, during the pact signing. The Deputy Secretary of State Landau was quoted as expressing strong agreement with Nigeria’s position, adding that as Africa’s fastest-growing economy and most populous country, Nigeria is a regional power that deserves partnership with the US.

I inaugurated the Nigeria-United States Committee on Strategic Cooperation in the Solid Minerals Sector in Abuja to advance our partnership with the United States and set the record straight on reports claiming Nigeria sold $700 billion worth of solid minerals to America. Let me be very clear. Nigeria has not sold its mineral assets. The agreement signed with the US is a government-to-government framework designed to connect American investors with Nigerian businesses.

It is about attracting investment, sharing technology, expanding local processing and creating jobs. Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, we are determined to move beyond an economy heavily dependent on oil. Our mineral resources must create greater value at home and deliver lasting benefits to Nigerians. That is why local processing is now a key requirement for investors seeking mineral titles.

Our partnership with the US offers an opportunity to match Nigeria’s vast resources with the capital and technology needed to build a stronger mining industry. The progress we are seeing in mineral processing reflects this direction. I have charged the committee to approach this responsibility with diligence, identify viable investment opportunities and turn the agreement into measurable results that support President Tinubu’s $1 trillion economy target.

Our focus is ensuring that Nigeria’s mineral wealth creates jobs, strengthens our economy and delivers real value to our people. — Dele Alake (@AlakeDele) October 28, 2026