Nigeria has formed a partnership with Australia to address the pressing skills gap in the mining sector. Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, shared this news in a statement released by his media assistant, Segun Tomori, in Abuja on Sunday.
A key milestone in this collaboration is the recent inauguration of a two-week pilot training programme for the first group of 11 Nigerian mining professionals at Murdoch University, Australia. Alake highlighted that this initiative, supported by the Commonwealth Government, aims to improve skill levels in the mining industry while strengthening the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Australia.
He noted that this programme is the fruition of a vision established less than two years ago, encompassing diverse topics such as extractive metallurgy, sustainable geochemistry, and mineral science research. Participants will also experience field trips and direct interactions with industry experts to investigate current mining trends, investment opportunities, and challenges related to sustainability.
Alake expressed his appreciation for the support of President Bola Tinubu and the efforts of Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Leilani Bin-Juda, in making this vision a reality. He extended his gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and faculty of Murdoch University for their generous hospitality. “Developing a partnership with a leading mining nation like Australia is essential for reinforcing our bilateral ties and promoting beneficial growth in our mining sectors,” he remarked.
The minister encouraged participants to serve as outstanding ambassadors for Nigeria, applying their training to enhance the technical capabilities of the country and contribute to evidence-based policy formulation. At the 2023 Africa Down Under (ADU) Conference in Perth, Alake formalised a bilateral agreement with the Government of Western Australia, facilitated by the Australian Ministry of Mines and Petroleum and Murdoch University, aimed at bolstering the skills of Nigerian mining professionals.