TUE MAY 26 2026-theGBJournal| The Federal Government has signed a memorandum of understanding (Mou) with the Republic of Türkiye to strengthen bilateral cooperation in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, as Abuja intensifies efforts to attract foreign investment and position mining as a major contributor to economic diversification.
The agreement, announced by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Aleke, on Monday is expected to facilitate collaboration in key areas including mining technology, geological exploration, digitalisation of mining operations, technical knowledge transfer and human capital development.
However, beyond broad declarations of cooperation, the announcement provided few specifics about the scope of the partnership.
The absence of project-specific details also leaves unanswered questions about which strategic minerals will be prioritised under the partnership.
Nigeria is seeking to develop value chains around critical minerals including lithium, gold, tin, iron ore, limestone, lead, zinc and rare earth elements, many of which have attracted increasing global attention amid the transition to clean energy technologies.
The government nevertheless argues that the agreement builds on a broader reform agenda designed to make Nigeria’s mining sector more competitive and attractive to international investors.
According to the ministry, reforms implemented over the past three years have focused on improving regulatory transparency, simplifying investment procedures, strengthening oversight and combating illegal mining activities that have long undermined investor confidence.
However, the latest agreement reflects Türkiye’s increasing economic engagement with Africa and Nigeria in particular.
Turkish companies have expanded their footprint across sectors including construction, manufacturing, energy and infrastructure, while bilateral trade between both countries has continued to grow in recent years.
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