Nigeria and United States sign framework to develop critical minerals sector

Nigeria and the United States have signed a memorandum of understanding intended to support development of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. The agreement was signed at the Nigerian Mission House in New York on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, signed for the Federal Government, while Christopher Landau, the US deputy secretary of state, represented the United States.

Alake said the framework would enable cooperation on geological data, exploration, mineral development and processing, infrastructure, and technical capacity. He said both countries shared the view that critical-mineral supply chains should be secure, resilient and based on responsible investment. The minister said Nigeria wanted to move beyond supplying raw materials and create more value domestically through local processing, skills development, jobs and opportunities for Nigerian businesses.

He added that implementation would support the economic diversification goals of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and promote industrial growth. Landau said the United States supported Nigeria’s economic growth and described the country as a regional power. He said the pact would bring greater prosperity to both countries and that the two governments were partners.

Landau also said the countries had expanded cooperation under Presidents Donald Trump and Tinubu and expressed a desire to build on that momentum. Nigerian and US officials, including Lagos governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, attended the signing.