The European Union has expressed keen interest in expanding trade and investment of member countries to Nigeria’s solid minerals sector for trade diversification.
European Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake.
A statement by the Special Assistant to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, stated that Ambassador Mignot commended ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s mining sector, noting that the EU delegation seeks to better understand the industry and explore areas of mutual interest and collaboration.
Responding, Dr. Alake emphasized Nigeria’s readiness to engage with EU member states and investors to unlock the vast potential of her solid minerals for shared prosperity. “Given our history and the cordial relationship we’ve maintained with the EU, the time is ripe to map out concrete plans and translate them into actionable projects within the solid minerals sector,” he stated.
Highlighting Nigeria’s wealth of critical minerals, the Minister pointed to the abundance of high-grade lithium—an essential component in solar panels, electric vehicles, and battery production. He further described Nigeria as a hub for minerals critical to the global shift toward green energy.
We have lithium, cobalt, copper, and more—all in commercially viable quantities. Nigeria is deepening exploration this year to discover more. Even within the limited areas explored so far, we’re looking at over $700 billion in mineral deposits. This represents a massive investment opportunity, and we encourage EU investors to take advantage of it,” Dr. Alake added.
