Nigeria, Turkiye Sign MoU To Deepen Cooperation In Solid Minerals Development

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, marking a major step toward deeper economic collaboration between both countries.

The agreement was signed during the Istanbul Natural Resources Summit (INRES) in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, said Nigeria is ready to benefit from Türkiye’s technological advancement and expertise in mining exploration, training, digitisation, licensing systems, and capacity building to support reforms and growth in the sector.

According to Alake, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu fully supports efforts aimed at improving bilateral relations with Türkiye, especially in mining and energy development.

“Türkiye is one of the countries we are confident of building strong bilateral cooperation with, particularly in the area of solid minerals development. Nigeria is open to working with the Turkish government to strengthen governance structures, improve technical capacity, and advance sustainable mining development in our country,” Alake said.

The minister explained that reforms introduced in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector over the past three years have improved the business environment and made the sector more attractive to investors.

He stated that the Federal Government has taken major steps to sanitise the sector, improve ease of doing business, and provide incentives for foreign investors willing to establish long-term partnerships in Nigeria.

“We have significantly improved the ease of doing business and strengthened institutional support for investors. Investors can now repatriate profits after due process, while government incentives have continued to attract serious mining stakeholders into Nigeria,” he said.

Alake revealed that the reforms have already led to increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the sector and assured investors of the government’s commitment to security and lawful mining operations.

He added that the Mining Marshals created by the government have intensified efforts against illegal mining activities across the country.

“As of the latest count, over 300 illegal mining operators, including foreign nationals, have been arrested, while more than 150 prosecutions are currently ongoing. In addition, over 100 illegal mining sites have been recovered and returned to legitimate licence owners as part of efforts to restore investor confidence and strengthen lawful operations in the sector,” he stated.

Türkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, described the partnership as strategic and timely, saying global energy security now requires stronger international cooperation.

Bayraktar praised the Nigerian government for the reforms introduced in the solid minerals sector and said Turkish companies are interested in investing in Nigeria.

“We are ready to invest in Nigeria because of the remarkable initiatives your government has put in place. We look forward to cooperation, support, and guidance that will enable both countries achieve meaningful results,” he said.

The Turkish minister also disclosed that several Turkish companies are interested in expanding into Nigeria beyond mining, especially in energy and hydrocarbons.

“Nigeria is a major player in the hydrocarbon industry. We would appreciate it if you convey to your President our desire to renew energy cooperation and contracts with Nigeria,” Bayraktar added.

He further explained that Türkiye is expanding its engagement with African markets, with Nigeria serving as an important gateway for broader economic and energy partnerships on the continent.

During a panel session on energy security, Alake stressed the need for global peace and reduced conflicts as important conditions for achieving sustainable energy security.

“Without reducing conflicts around the world, economic imperatives and global energy security efforts will continue to face significant challenges. Without peace, discussions around energy security become difficult. The international community must work seriously towards peace if we truly want to guarantee sustainable energy security for the future,” he said.