As we mark Democracy Day, I join millions of Nigerians in reflecting on the profound courage and resilience that shape our democratic journey. Our freedom was bought with genuine sacrifice, not mere words. June 12 serves as a constant reminder that our democracy is an active process, demanding our collective dedication every single day. Let us use this milestone to recommit ourselves to building a stable, prosperous Nigeria that truly works for everyone. Happy Democracy Day.

Today, I received the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, at the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in Abuja. We discussed how our ministries can work together to drive value addition, support industrial growth and create more jobs through Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. I remain committed to unlocking the full potential of our mineral resources through the right partnerships.

I invite you to join us at the 5th African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS 2026), taking place from 23rd to 25th June at the State House Conference Centre, Presidential Villa, Abuja. This year's theme, "One Africa, One Resource Vision," reflects our shared commitment to unlocking Africa's vast natural resource and energy potential through collaboration, investment, and responsible development. I look forward to welcoming policymakers, investors, industry leaders and stakeholders from across the continent as we shape the future of Africa's resource sector together.

Today, as we celebrate Eid-El-Kabir, I want to take a moment to extend my warmest regards to you and your loved ones. This season is always about selflessness and the power of shared sacrifice. May every sacrifice made during this special time be accepted and richly rewarded. Eid Mubarak.

Nigeria 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 our two countries. This partnership opens the door to greater collaboration in mining technology, exploration, digitisation, and capacity building. 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. I appreciate the strong interest shown by Turkish investors and government officials in expanding cooperation with Nigeria across mining, energy, and hydrocarbons. Partnerships like this will play an important role in unlocking the full value of our natural resources for economic growth and job creation.

Today in Abuja, I spoke at the joint stakeholders’ sensitization meeting organised by the Nigeria Revenue Service and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development. I spoke about how the tough but necessary reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are beginning to reposition our economy for growth. For too long, we depended heavily on oil and imports while sectors like mining were neglected. Today, we are seeing real progress. New investments in lithium processing, gold refining, and local value addition are creating jobs, boosting investor confidence, and strengthening our economy. We are also taking firm action against illegal mining while building a more transparent and responsible mining sector that works for Nigerians.

I look forward to joining stakeholders, operators and regulators in Abuja on Wednesday May 20, 2026 for the Nigeria Revenue Service and Ministry of Solid Minerals Development sensitization session on the 2025 Tax Reform Act. This conversation is important for the future of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. We must continue to improve compliance, strengthen transparency and ensure our mineral resources translate into real value for the country and its people. I encourage all stakeholders to be part of the engagement as we work together to build a stronger and more responsible mining sector.

Happy Workers’ Day to the men and women who are the pillars of our sector. The progress we are seeing in solid minerals is the direct result of your grit and the long hours you put in at sites across the country. My focus remains on ensuring that your hard work translates into a sector that is safer, more rewarding, and respected globally. Thank you for your dedication to building a stronger economy. We still have a lot of work ahead but I am confident we will get it right.

At the Kenya Mining Investment Conference 2026, I spoke about Africa’s mineral resources and how we are still not getting full value from it. For too long, we have exported raw materials and imported finished goods. That approach has held back our growth and limited opportunities for our people. No single country can change this alone. I made the case for stronger regional cooperation. We need to align our policies, build shared infrastructure and deepen trade among ourselves. Through the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, which has now grown to 31 countries, we are working to build a common voice and better outcomes for the continent. This goes to creating real jobs, growing our industries and taking more control of our economic future. We have a clear chance to do things differently and it is up to us to take it.

At the Kenyan Mining Investment Conference in Nairobi, I had the opportunity to respond to a light comment that had gone viral earlier, where President Ruto jokingly suggested that Nigerians don’t speak good English. I told him that Nigerians actually speak very good English. My colleague, Kenya’s Minister of Mining, Ali Joho, even backed it up with how persuasive Nigerians can be. President Ruto himself later joined in the banter on stage, and it turned into a relaxed, good-natured exchange. And for the record, Kenya and Nigeria share more than jokes. We share real ties. Even family ties in some cases, as many already know. It was all in good spirit and friendship and laughter were the real winners in Nairobi.

I met with the team from the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) to deepen our collaboration and unlock the mining potential of the North Central region. We have made steady progress with over 300 artisanal miners now organised into cooperatives and brought into the formal system, while enforcement efforts have led to more than 300 arrests, with several cases already in court. I also shared that our value addition policy is beginning to deliver real results with new processing projects in the region and over $2 billion in economic contribution so far under the administration of HE President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I encouraged the Commission to stay focused on collaboration, transparency, and execution, and assured them of our full support.

As we celebrate the joyous occasion of Easter, I extend warm greetings to all Nigerians, particularly our Christian faithful, on this season of hope, renewal, and sacrifice. Easter reminds us of the enduring values of faith, love, and redemption. It is a solemn reflection of the triumph of light over darkness and the immense possibilities it portends in our lives. May the blessings of Easter fill our hearts with joy, strengthen our resolve to triumph over challenges and guide our nation toward sustainable progress.

I wish all Muslim faithful a joyous and peaceful Eid celebration. May this season bring renewed hope, blessings, and continued unity to our dear country.

I received HE President Bola Tinubu on his arrival at the Fairmont Hotel, Windsor, ahead of the State Visit. We look forward to the scheduled engagements that will follow.

I witnessed the signing of an agreement between the Africa Finance Corporation and the Solid Minerals Development Fund to jointly fund three major initiatives, including a $1.3 billion alumina refinery. This means jobs, technology, foreign exchange, and real contribution to our GDP over the long term. The numbers are strong, but what matters more is viability. This is how we grow mining’s real contribution to our economy. We have the minerals. With this partnership, we are putting serious capital behind developing them properly.

Today, I received the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, H.E. Pasquale Salvaggio. I reaffirmed our readiness to partner with Canada to strengthen our mining sector. Canada’s expertise and technology can support the reforms we are driving to grow the industry, attract credible investors, and uphold global standards. Our focus is formalising artisanal operations, building local capacity, and offering clear incentives such as tax waivers on mining equipment and full profit repatriation after statutory obligations are met. We also agreed to set up a joint working group to define priority areas and timelines. The goal is to ensure tangible results that benefit both countries.

I’ve been re-elected as Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, and I’m grateful to my fellow ministers for the trust they’ve shown in me again. I was first elected in 2024 at the Future Minerals Forum, and this renewed mandate came at our 2026 AGM in Riyadh. The group has also agreed on a stronger leadership structure that reflects Africa’s regions, because inclusion and balance matter if we want this platform to work. My focus remains that African countries must work together to get real value from our mineral resources. That means agreeing on basic contributions, being accountable to one another, and putting a proper budget framework in place so the AMSG can function credibly and effectively. Beyond governance, I’ve been clear that minerals alone won’t transform our economies. We need infrastructure, aligned policies, and deliberate value addition. The real work is designing financing and governance that attract investment while supporting long-term growth, stability, and shared prosperity across the continent.

Today, I met with the Saudi Arabian Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, ahead of the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, and I am encouraged by how far Nigeria has come in the solid minerals sector. We are moving beyond exporting raw materials. We now have a high-purity gold refinery operating in Lagos, three more in development, and a 600 million dollar lithium processing plant in Nasarawa ready for commissioning. These projects are helping position Nigeria as a serious player in the minerals needed for the global energy transition. I commended Saudi Arabia for using the forum to connect countries across regions and made it clear that Nigeria wants to deepen this partnership. There are areas where they have strong expertise and others where we do, and I believe we can work together on training, technology transfer, and mineral exploration. Following last year’s forum, we set up a joint working group with the Saudi Chamber of Commerce, and its report is now ready. I also stressed that mineral traceability, environmental and social standards, and proper mine rehabilitation must be at the heart of any collaboration if we want to build lasting investor confidence.

As we enter 2026, I want to personally wish every Nigerian a happy New Year. This is a season to reflect on how far we have come and to renew our commitment to building a stronger country. My prayer is that the year ahead brings steady progress to your work, your families, and the dreams you hold close. As Minister of Solid Minerals Development, I remain deeply committed to unlocking the full potential of our mineral resources in ways that create real jobs, strengthen local communities, and add lasting value to our economy. Thank you for the trust and support you continue to show. Together, with patience and shared responsibility, we will keep moving Nigeria forward.

At this special time of the year, I extend my sincere goodwill to you and your loved ones. I wish you a season marked by peace, enduring joy, and love. May these blessings remain with you at Christmas and throughout the year ahead. On behalf of my family and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, I wish you a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.