The Federal Government of Nigeria has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Republic of France to strengthen and diversify the critical mineral value chain within the solid minerals sector. This development was announced on Sunday by Segun Tomori, the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake.
The MoU was signed by Minister Alake during President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to France. The agreement aims to enhance collaboration on critical minerals like copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements, which are vital for clean energy technologies.
Key elements of the partnership include research initiatives, training programs, and Franco-Nigerian student exchange opportunities to facilitate knowledge and skills transfer. The agreement also emphasizes sustainable mining practices, with a focus on minimizing environmental impacts such as carbon emissions and water consumption while addressing climate change concerns.
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Minister Alake highlighted that this collaboration would attract French investors to Nigeria’s mining sector. The partnership includes establishing joint executive and processing projects through co-financing by public and private entities to diversify critical mineral supplies and decarbonize energy-related projects.
Signing on behalf of Nigeria was Dr. Alake, while France was represented by its Inter-Ministerial Delegate for Critical Ores and Metals, Benjamin Gallezot. Both nations agreed to prioritize transparency and international best practices in project implementation, ensuring the local communities affected by mining activities benefit from improved living conditions.
This partnership signals a significant step in Nigeria’s efforts to tap into its vast mineral resources sustainably and position itself as a critical player in the global clean energy value chain.
