Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have renewed their commitment to building the capacity of their geological agencies by leveraging Saudi Arabia’s advancements in mineral exploration.
This was disclosed by Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.
The decision emerged during a closed-door meeting at the 2025 Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The meeting was attended by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Mining, Bandar Al-Khorayef, and Nigeria’s delegation led by Alake.
Minister Alake emphasized the need for partnerships that capitalize on the economic strengths of both nations. Highlighting Saudi Arabia’s established gold market, he proposed that Nigeria’s gold refineries access the Saudi market under protective agreements to foster mutual economic growth.
In response, Minister Al-Khorayef shared Saudi Arabia’s efforts to integrate new technologies into mineral exploration, with innovations showcased at the FMF to promote business collaborations and increase awareness of their applications.
During a meeting with the Saudi Chamber of Commerce, Alake encouraged investment in Nigeria’s mining sector, spotlighting the country’s rich deposits of lithium and iron ore. He assured potential investors that the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency would provide critical data to mitigate investment risks.
Alake noted that the global shift toward electric vehicles, which rely on lithium batteries, positions Nigeria as a vital supplier of critical minerals. He added that partnerships with Saudi investors could expand the export of finished industrial inputs.
The Nigerian minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to create a favorable environment for investors. These include establishing certified laboratories for mineral analysis, which he described as the best in West Africa, and supporting projects that process iron ore into steel as models for future collaboration.
The 2025 Future Minerals Forum, held from Jan. 14 to 16 with the theme “Year of Impact,” aimed to strengthen international cooperation in producing critical minerals necessary for the global energy transition.
The collaboration between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia is expected to bolster their mining sectors, foster technological innovation, and drive economic growth in line with global sustainability goals.
