Nigeria and the Republic of Türkiye have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on solid minerals development, in a move both countries described as a major step towards deepening bilateral economic cooperation, attracting fresh investments, and strengthening long-term collaboration in mining, energy, and industrial development.
The agreement, signed on the sidelines of the Istanbul Natural Resources Summit (INRES) in Istanbul, comes at a time when Nigeria is intensifying efforts to reposition the solid minerals sector as a major contributor to economic diversification, foreign exchange earnings, and industrial growth outside the oil sector.
The partnership is expected to open new channels for technology transfer, technical cooperation, mining exploration, capacity building, and investment inflows into Nigeria’s underdeveloped but resource-rich mining industry.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, said the federal government sees Türkiye as a critical strategic partner capable of supporting Nigeria’s ongoing reforms in the mining sector through advanced technical expertise and industrial collaboration.
According to Alake, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to building stronger economic relations with Türkiye, particularly in sectors capable of driving industrial expansion and long-term economic transformation.
“Türkiye is one of the countries we are confident of building strong bilateral cooperation with, particularly in the area of solid minerals development. Nigeria is open to working with the Turkish government to strengthen governance structures, improve technical capacity, and advance sustainable mining development in our country,” Alake stated.
The minister explained that the partnership aligns with broader government efforts to reposition Nigeria’s solid minerals industry into a globally competitive investment destination through reforms aimed at improving transparency, regulatory efficiency, investor confidence, and operational security.
Nigeria possesses commercially viable deposits of gold, lithium, limestone, iron ore, barite, lead, zinc, tin, and rare earth minerals spread across several states, but the sector has historically contributed minimally to national GDP due to weak regulation, illegal mining activities, limited infrastructure, and inadequate investment.
However, the federal government has in recent years intensified reforms designed to formalise mining activities, strengthen governance systems, and attract reputable international investors into the sector.
Alake, who also chairs the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), noted that reforms introduced over the past three years have significantly changed the operating environment and improved Nigeria’s attractiveness to foreign mining investors.
According to him, the government has implemented measures aimed at sanitising the sector, simplifying business procedures, and creating a more stable investment climate for companies willing to establish long-term operations in Nigeria.
“We have significantly improved the ease of doing business and strengthened institutional support for investors. Investors can now repatriate profits after due process, while government incentives have continued to attract serious mining stakeholders into Nigeria,” he said.
The minister further disclosed that the reforms are already yielding measurable outcomes through increased foreign direct investment inflows and stronger investor interest from several countries seeking opportunities in Nigeria’s mineral resources sector.
A major aspect of the government’s reform programme has been the aggressive crackdown on illegal mining activities, long identified as one of the biggest threats to investor confidence, government revenue generation, environmental sustainability, and national security within mining communities.
Alake revealed that the specially established Mining Marshals have intensified enforcement operations across mining regions nationwide, leading to multiple arrests, site recoveries, and ongoing prosecutions.
“As of the latest count, over 300 illegal mining operators, including foreign nationals, have been arrested, while more than 150 prosecutions are currently ongoing. In addition, over 100 illegal mining sites have been recovered and returned to legitimate licence owners as part of efforts to restore investor confidence and strengthen lawful operations in the sector,” he stated.
Türkiye has over the years expanded its mining and energy footprint internationally, while positioning itself as an emerging industrial and energy hub connecting Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. Turkish firms have also increasingly shown interest in African infrastructure, manufacturing, construction, energy, and extractive industries.
Responding during the signing ceremony, Alparslan Bayraktar, Türkiye’s minister of energy and natural resources, described the agreement as both strategic and timely, particularly against the backdrop of growing global concerns around energy transition, resource security, and international supply chain resilience.
Bayraktar commended Nigeria’s ongoing reforms in the mining sector and expressed confidence that Turkish companies are ready to increase investment activities across Nigeria’s mining and broader energy industries.
“We are ready to invest in Nigeria because of the remarkable initiatives your government has put in place. We look forward to cooperation, support, and guidance that will enable both countries achieve meaningful results,” he said.
The Turkish minister further disclosed that several Turkish industrial firms are considering expansion into Nigeria beyond mining activities, with growing interest in hydrocarbons, manufacturing, and energy infrastructure projects.
“Nigeria is a major player in the hydrocarbon industry. We would appreciate it if you convey to your President our desire to renew energy cooperation and contracts with Nigeria,” Bayraktar added.
He also noted that Türkiye is deliberately expanding economic engagement across African markets, with Nigeria viewed as a strategic gateway for broader continental partnerships because of its market size, resource base, and regional influence.
The agreement comes amid increasing global competition for critical minerals needed for renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles, battery storage systems, industrial manufacturing, and digital infrastructure. Countries across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East are now seeking long-term mineral supply partnerships with resource-rich nations across Africa.
Meanwhile, beyond mining cooperation, Alake also used the Istanbul summit to stress the broader relationship between peace, geopolitics, and global energy security.
Speaking during a panel session titled “Energy Security in a Shifting Global Landscape: Connectivity and Cooperation,” the minister argued that sustainable energy security cannot be achieved in an increasingly conflict-driven global environment.
“Without reducing conflicts around the world, economic imperatives and global energy security efforts will continue to face significant challenges. Without peace, discussions around energy security become difficult. The international community must work seriously towards peace if we truly want to guarantee sustainable energy security for the future,” the minister said.
The Nigeria-Türkiye mining agreement is expected to further strengthen economic diplomacy between both countries while potentially opening new opportunities for trade, industrial partnerships, technology transfer, and long-term investment cooperation across strategic sectors of the economy.
