Nigeria and the United States have signed a framework agreement aimed at attracting investment, expanding local processing and strengthening cooperation across Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, which the Federal Government estimates has a potential value of about $700 billion.
The agreement was signed at Nigeria’s Mission House in New York by Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, and United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The framework is designed to provide a government-to-government foundation for business-to-business transactions, while promoting geological data development, mineral exploration, processing, infrastructure and technical capacity across the sector.
Alake described the agreement as a long-term economic framework rather than a conventional commercial deal, stressing that Nigeria wants to capture more value from its mineral resources domestically.
“Some agreements manage the present, and some agreements shape the future. The framework we sign today belongs to the second kind,” Alake said.
“In signing this Framework, Nigeria and the United States affirm a shared conviction: that the supply chains for these critical minerals must be secure, resilient, and built on responsible investment.”
The minister said Nigeria’s objective was to move beyond the export of unprocessed minerals by strengthening domestic processing, developing technical skills, creating quality jobs and expanding opportunities for Nigerian businesses.
“Let me be clear about Nigeria’s ambition. We are not here to remain a source of raw material for the values that others create. Our goal is to turn potential into lasting value at home through stronger local processing, new skills, quality jobs, and new opportunities for Nigerian businesses,” he stated.
The agreement is expected to support cooperation across the mineral value chain, including geological exploration, mineral development and processing, infrastructure development and technical capacity building.
Alake said the next phase would be focused on implementation, with Nigeria expected to identify viable projects, mobilise investment and develop commercial partnerships aligned with the Federal Government’s economic diversification objectives.
“Now comes the harder and more important work: moving from agreement to implementation. A signature is a promise, results are the proof. In the months ahead, we will identify viable projects, mobilise investments, and build the commercial partnerships that deliver measurable benefits to our nations,” Alake added.
Landau, speaking for the US government, described Nigeria as a critical regional power whose market size and economic trajectory support a deeper strategic partnership.
“The signal we are sending is that the United States and Nigeria are partners,” Landau said.
“Under President Trump and President Tinubu’s leadership, the United States and Nigeria have done many things together in the last one and a half years that we’ve never done before. I think we would like to keep building on that momentum.”
The signing comes as both countries seek to deepen cooperation around critical minerals and build more secure and resilient mineral supply chains. Earlier in September, Nigeria and the US had outlined plans for cooperation covering exploration, processing, refining, value addition and geological data.
Nigeria has also been pursuing reforms aimed at improving geological data and attracting investment into its mining sector. The Federal Government has said better mineral data is central to reducing investment risks and supporting the development of the sector.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Engr Yusuf Yabo; Director-General of the Mining Cadastre Office, Engr Simon Nkom; Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund, Hajiya Fatima Shinkafi; and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company, Martin Imonitie.
Representing the United States were Deputy Assistant Secretary for West African Affairs Rich Michaels; Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Southern Africa, Foreign Assistance and Critical Minerals, Chris Kulukundis; Senior Policy Advisor Wyatt Toehlkeke; and Jitu Sardar.
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