Nigeria has intensified efforts to attract American investment into its solid minerals industry as the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, led a delegation to the United States for discussions on expanding cooperation in the sector.
The delegation from the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company (NSMC) visited the White House in Washington, D.C., where it engaged U.S. officials and private sector stakeholders on opportunities for investment and collaboration.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Mr Alake’s Special Assistant on Media, Lara-Owoeye-Wise, the team met with David Copley, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Global Supply Chain at the U.S. National Security Council.
The meeting also included discussions with Diana London, Chief Executive Officer of DCI Group, focusing on ways to strengthen Nigeria-U.S. relations and attract more investment into the country’s critical minerals sector.
Owoeye-Wise said talks centred on key areas including mineral exploration, mining, processing, refining, value addition and the development of reliable supply chains for minerals essential to the global transition to clean energy.
She explained that the engagement was part of efforts to deepen strategic cooperation between both countries while positioning Nigeria as a major player in the global minerals market.
The initiative, she added, aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises economic diversification, industrial growth, job creation and increased foreign investment.
The minister’s office said the partnership would support sustainable mineral development, boost local value addition and contribute to shared economic benefits between Nigeria and the United States.
(NAN)