The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Republic of Türkiye have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in the solid minerals sector, in a move aimed at deepening bilateral economic and investment ties.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Istanbul Natural Resources Summit (INRES) in Türkiye, according to a statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Lara Owoeye-Wise.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake said Nigeria is ready to tap into Türkiye’s technical expertise in mining exploration, digitisation, licensing systems, training, and capacity building to accelerate reforms in the sector.
Alake said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has fully endorsed efforts to strengthen cooperation with Türkiye in mining and energy development.
He said Nigeria remains committed to building stronger institutional frameworks, improving governance in the mining sector, and attracting long-term foreign investment.
According to him, reforms introduced over the past three years have improved the ease of doing business in the solid minerals sector and made Nigeria more attractive to serious investors.
“We have significantly improved the ease of doing business and strengthened institutional support for investors,” he said, adding that investors can now repatriate profits after due process.
Alake also disclosed that the reforms have contributed to increased foreign direct investment inflows into the sector, while assuring investors of government support for secure and lawful mining operations.
He noted that the Mining Marshals, a special enforcement unit, have intensified efforts against illegal mining across the country.
According to him, more than 300 illegal mining operators, including foreign nationals, have been arrested, over 150 prosecutions are ongoing, and more than 100 illegal mining sites have been recovered and returned to licensed operators.
Responding, Türkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, described the partnership as timely and strategic, noting that global energy security increasingly depends on stronger international cooperation.
Bayraktar praised Nigeria’s reforms in the solid minerals sector and said Turkish companies are ready to invest in the country.
“We are ready to invest in Nigeria because of the remarkable initiatives your government has put in place,” he said.
He also indicated interest in expanding Turkish engagement beyond mining into energy and hydrocarbons, noting Nigeria’s strategic importance in the global energy landscape.
Bayraktar added that Türkiye sees Nigeria as a key gateway for broader economic engagement across Africa.
During a panel session titled Energy Security in a Shifting Global Landscape: Connectivity and Cooperation, Alake stressed the importance of global peace in achieving sustainable energy security.
He warned that ongoing global conflicts continue to undermine economic stability and energy cooperation, calling for stronger international efforts to promote peace and stability.
