The Federal Government is courting Canadian technology and capital to accelerate sweeping reforms in Nigeria’s mining sector, positioning solid minerals as a central pillar of the country’s economic diversification agenda.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, outlined the strategy during a meeting with the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Pasquale Salvaggio, in Abuja. He said Nigeria is seeking to tap into Canada’s globally recognised expertise in mining technology, governance and financing to unlock the full value of its vast mineral deposits.

Alake stressed that deeper collaboration with Canada is critical to attracting responsible investment, enforcing international best practices and building a transparent, investor-friendly operating environment. He listed key priorities as formalising artisanal mining, strengthening regulatory oversight, boosting local capacity and promoting technology transfer across the value chain.

According to the minister, the government is “deliberately de-risking” the sector through clearer rules, stronger institutions and targeted incentives. These include tax waivers on imported mining equipment and guarantees that investors can fully repatriate profits once statutory obligations such as taxes and royalties are met. New fiscal measures are also being designed to keep Nigeria competitive among global mining destinations.

Alake framed the renewed push as an extension of long-standing ties between both countries, recalling Canada’s support for Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement in the 1990s. He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu views foreign direct investment as central to job creation and sustainable growth, particularly for Nigeria’s youthful population.

High Commissioner Salvaggio welcomed Nigeria’s overture, describing the country as a “strategic partner” and noting that it is already Canada’s second-largest trading partner in Africa. He said Canada sees significant room to expand trade and investment in mining, given Nigeria’s resource endowment and Canada’s technical depth.

Salvaggio praised the creation of the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company as a signal of policy seriousness and urged Abuja to fast-track ratification of the stalled Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, arguing that it would further reassure investors.

Both sides agreed to set up a joint working group to identify priority projects, define timelines and track progress. The partnership is expected to focus on critical minerals such as lithium, gold and rare earth elements, which are increasingly vital to the global energy transition and high-tech manufacturing.