The Federal Government and France have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in the minerals sector, focusing on research, training, and student exchanges. The agreement aims to enhance the critical minerals value chain through joint projects that promote knowledge, and skills transfer between institutions in both countries. These minerals, including copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements, play a vital role in clean energy technologies.
Segun Tomori, the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, announced in a statement that the MoU was signed by Minister Dele Alake during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to France. The statement also highlighted that the partnership will create opportunities for the remediation of more than 2,000 abandoned mining pits in the country through environmental rehabilitation and post-mining interventions.
The statement also emphasized a key component of the MOU is the promotion of sustainable mining activities by executing projects and programmes that reduce the environmental impact of mining on carbon emissions, water consumption, and climate change, the statement noted. It also includes the establishment of joint extractive and processing projects through co-financing by public and private entities to diversify and secure the supply of critical minerals and decarbonize energy projects critical to the value chain.
Dr. Dele Alake signed on behalf of Nigeria, while Mr. Benjamin Gallezot, the Inter-Ministerial Delegate for Critical Ores and Metals of France, signed for France. Both countries committed to adopting international best practices in implementing projects aimed at improving the conditions of communities affected by mining, with a strong focus on transparency. They also agreed to enhance the capacity of sector administrators through regular training, seminars, and events, aimed at improving the management of the critical metals value chain.
Alake described the agreement as a significant boost to the Tinubu administration’s efforts to make Nigeria’s solid minerals sector internationally competitive. He emphasized that the ministry would use this partnership to attract French investors to the country’s mining sector.
