Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
Nigeria and France have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to transform the critical minerals value chains in their solid minerals sectors. This agreement, formalized during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s official visit to France, emphasizes sustainable mining practices, environmental remediation, and industrial competitiveness.
Truth Live News gathered that, the MoU, signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, and France’s Inter-Ministerial Delegate for Critical Ores and Metals, Benjamin Gallezot, underscores collaboration in research, training, and Franco-Nigerian student exchanges to foster knowledge and skills transfer.
Critical minerals, including copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements, are essential to clean energy technologies. The agreement aims to ensure their sustainable extraction and processing, benefiting both nations’ energy transitions.
“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,” noted Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to Minister Alake.
The partnership is set to address over 2,000 abandoned mining pits in Nigeria through targeted environmental rehabilitation and post-mining projects. This effort will not only restore degraded landscapes but also create opportunities for affected communities, aligning with the agreement’s focus on improving the lives of local populations impacted by mining activities.
Joint extractive and processing initiatives will be co-financed by public and private entities, diversifying the supply of critical minerals and decarbonizing energy projects critical to the value chain.
“Through regular bilateral and multilateral training, seminars, and events, administrators of institutions in the critical metals sector are expected to improve their capacity to manage the sector’s value chain,” Tomori added.
Both nations committed to adhering to international best practices to enhance transparency and ensure that local communities affected by mining activities experience tangible benefits. These measures are designed to align the solid minerals sector with global sustainability goals.
Minister Dele Alake described the agreement as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, highlighting its potential to attract French investment, boost industrialization, and empower local communities. “This agreement represents a paradigm shift in both the war against insecurity and the industrialization of mining in Nigeria,” he emphasized.
The MoU positions Nigeria to secure its role as a key player in the global minerals value chain, promoting sustainable economic growth while addressing environmental challenges.
By rehabilitating over 2,000 mining pits and leveraging critical minerals for clean energy technologies, this partnership is a testament to Nigeria’s commitment to economic diversification, environmental sustainability, and community development.
The collaboration between Nigeria and France underscores a shared vision for leveraging critical minerals to drive innovation, sustainability, and international competitiveness, setting the stage for long-term economic and environmental gains.