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From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has intensified Nigeria’s push to reposition the mining sector, courting Canada for technology transfer, investment inflow and deeper technical collaboration.
Hosting Canadian High Commissioner, Pasquale Salvaggio, in Abuja, Alake declared Nigeria ready to leverage Canada’s global mining expertise to fast-track reforms and unlock the sector’s vast wealth.
He recalled Canada’s firm backing of Nigeria during the crisis that followed the annulment of the June 12, 1993 Nigerian presidential election, describing the country as a steadfast democratic ally.
“Canada stood with the Nigerian people. Today, we want to deepen that partnership, especially in mining where Canada is a global leader,” he said.
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Alake listed incentives already in place to woo investors tax waivers on mining equipment, full repatriation of profits after statutory payments, and fiscal reforms aimed at de-risking the sector. He stressed plans to formalise artisanal mining, curb illegal operations and strengthen capacity building.
Salvaggio, in his response, said Nigeria is Canada’s second-largest trading partner in Africa but could soon take the top spot.
He applauded the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company (NSMC) initiative and urged the Federal Government to revive and ratify the stalled Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) to guarantee investor security.
The envoy also offered expanded training opportunities, including renewed programmes at the University of Calgary, Alberta.
Alake assured that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to drive growth and create jobs.
Both countries agreed to set up a joint working group to translate talks into tangible results.
