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From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The Federal Government has launched the Early-Stage Mineral Exploration and Research Grant Endowment (EMERGE) programme aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s mining sector through exploration, research and local mineral processing.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, described the initiative as a major step in the implementation of reforms designed to transform Nigeria’s mineral wealth into sustainable economic growth and industrial development.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Alake said the programme, driven by the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), was structured to build a strong foundation for future generations, while positioning Nigeria as a key player in the global minerals value chain.
He explained that the EMERGE programme would operate through three strategic streams, including mineral exploration, critical minerals development and research and development.
According to him, the exploration stream would focus on early-stage geological investigations to generate reliable mineral data, while the critical minerals stream targets minerals required for the global energy transition, including lithium and rare earth elements.
The minister said the research and development stream would support geoscience and mineral-processing research in higher institutions to encourage innovation and strengthen local expertise.
Dr. Alake noted that the initiative marks a major shift in Nigeria’s mining policy, as the government would no longer focus solely on mineral extraction but also support value addition and local processing.
“For the first time, we are not only funding the digging of minerals, but also supporting the science and innovation required to refine them into higher-value products within Nigeria,” he said.
He explained that EMERGE was designed to support the entire mining value chain from exploration and geological research to refining and finished products in line with the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda.
The minister disclosed that under the ongoing reforms, the SMDF has already facilitated major mining-related investments, including a 1.5 million metric tonnes per annum aluminium refinery project, described as one of the largest investment commitments in Nigeria’s mining sector.
He added that the programme directly supports two major priorities of the ministry’s seven-point agenda, which include generating reliable geological data and promoting value addition through mineral processing and industrial innovation.
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Dr. Alake assured stakeholders that the programme would be transparent and merit-driven, noting that applications for grants would be independently assessed by experts to ensure accountability and equal opportunities for applicants.
He also announced that for the first time in Nigeria’s history, dedicated grants would be made available for geoscience and mineral-processing research in tertiary institutions.
According to him, future breakthroughs in the processing of lithium, gold and rare earth minerals could emerge from laboratories in Nigerian universities if properly supported.
The minister urged mining entrepreneurs, researchers and investors to take advantage of the initiative, stressing that government support would be available at every stage of project development, ranging from research and technical advisory to investment partnerships.
He commended the leadership and staff of the Solid Minerals Development Fund for driving reforms in the sector and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to diversifying the economy through solid minerals under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He attributed the ongoing reforms and investment growth in the sector to the backing of President Bola Tinubu and his administration’s commitment to economic diversification.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), Fatima Shinkafi, said the launch of the EMERGE programme would strengthen Nigeria’s mining sector through exploration, research and local value addition.
Shinkafi described EMERGE as a key component of the Federal Government’s solid minerals reform agenda aimed at attracting investment, improving geological data and supporting mineral processing.
She stressed that reliable data remains critical to unlocking mining opportunities, describing it as the new oil for the sector.
She added that the initiative would help position Nigeria as a major destination for critical minerals needed for global energy transition while supporting indigenous miners and boosting industrial growth through local processing and value addition.
She commended stakeholders and programme partners for supporting the initiative, expressing confidence that EMERGE would deepen reforms and expand opportunities in the solid minerals sector.
Stakeholders from the mining sector, central bank of Nigeria and members of the national assembly were in attendance.
