Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Republic of Türkiye to deepen bilateral cooperation in the solid minerals sector, in a move the Federal Government says will unlock investment, technology transfer, and jobs.
The MoU, disclosed by Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, covers collaboration in mining technology, exploration, digitisation, and capacity building. Alake said the agreement “opens the door to greater collaboration” and aligns with ongoing efforts to reposition mining as a key revenue earner beyond oil.
He noted that reforms introduced over the past three years have improved the ease of doing business and intensified the crackdown on illegal mining. “These efforts are already restoring investor confidence and driving greater interest in our mining sector,” the Minister said, adding that the government remains committed to a sector that is “transparent, secure, and attractive to serious investors”.
Alake also welcomed strong interest from Turkish investors and government officials to expand cooperation beyond minerals into energy and hydrocarbons. Türkiye has been increasing its footprint in Africa’s mining space, with several firms already active in gold and industrial minerals exploration.
The Ministry said partnerships like the Nigeria-Türkiye MoU will be critical to unlocking the full value of Nigeria’s estimated $700bn worth of solid minerals for economic growth and job creation. Implementation, it added, will begin with joint technical working groups and investor roadshows in Ankara and Abuja before year-end.
