Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake has said that the Solid Minerals Excellence Awards (SOMEA) will advance responsible, safe and sustainable mining practices.
The minister, in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Lara Wise, on Friday in Abuja, endorsed the awards as an initiative designed to encourage professionalism in the solid minerals sector.
He said SOMEA’s objectives aligned with national priorities to improve transparency, strengthen investor confidence and boost Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
He said that the administration of president Bola Tinubu was determined to sanitise the sector and reposition it to contribute significantly to the GDP.
On his part, the Project Coordinator of SOMEA, Femi Da-Silva, described the event as timely, following the minister’s reforms to reposition the sector as a global and transparent powerhouse.
Da-Silva told journalists that the awards, scheduled to hold in May, is aimed at celebrating and formalizing improved safety standards, and increased investments, positioning Nigeria as a highly attractive destination for global mining capital.
“As Nigeria gradually pivots toward a post-oil reality, the Solid Minerals Excellence Awards stand as a definitive checkpoint for progress. The message is clear: Nigeria is open for business and our wealth is solid,” he said.
The awards, themed ‘Unlocking the Future’, will unveil winners across high-impact categories that reflect the sector’s direction.
The categories to be honoured include Leading Mining Company of the Year, Excellence in Sustainable and Safe Operations, and Outstanding Contribution to Sector Growth, among others.
The awards aim to promote best practices in mining and mineral processing, encourage sustainability, environmental stewardship and community engagement, attract investment to boost sector growth and enhance Nigeria’s global reputation in the solid minerals industry.
GIK/APA