Nigeria and the Republic of Türkiye have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in the solid minerals sector and expanding economic collaboration between both countries.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Istanbul Natural Resources Summit in Istanbul, the capital of Türkiye.
According to a statement by the special assistant on media Lara Owo-eye Wise, during the signing ceremony, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said Nigeria would leverage Türkiye’s technological expertise in mining exploration, digitisation, licensing systems, training and capacity building to accelerate reforms in the sector.
According to the minister, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given full support to efforts aimed at strengthening bilateral relations with Türkiye in the mining and energy sectors.
“Türkiye is one of the countries we are confident of building strong bilateral cooperation with, particularly in the area of solid minerals development,” Alake said.
“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, who also chairs the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, stated that reforms introduced in Nigeria’s mining sector over the past three years had improved the investment climate and attracted genuine investors.
He explained that the federal government had implemented measures to sanitise the sector, improve ease of doing business and create incentives for long-term foreign investment.
“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 stated.
The minister disclosed that the reforms had already triggered increased foreign direct investment inflows into the sector, while reiterating the government’s commitment to securing mining communities and enforcing lawful operations.
Highlighting efforts against illegal mining, Alake revealed that over 300 illegal mining operators, including foreign nationals, had been arrested, while more than 150 prosecutions were ongoing nationwide.
He added that over 100 illegal mining sites had been recovered and returned to legitimate licence holders as part of efforts to restore investor confidence.
Responding, Türkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, described the partnership with Nigeria as strategic, noting that global energy security now requires stronger international cooperation.
Bayraktar commended the Nigerian government for reforms introduced in the solid minerals sector and expressed readiness by Turkish companies to invest in Nigeria.
“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 also disclosed that several Turkish firms were interested in expanding operations into Nigeria’s energy and hydrocarbon sectors.
“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,” he added.
Bayraktar noted that Türkiye was expanding its economic engagement with African markets, with Nigeria positioned as a strategic gateway for broader partnerships across the continent.
Meanwhile, speaking during a panel session titled,“Energy Security in a Shifting Global Landscape: Connectivity and Cooperation,” Alake stressed the importance of global peace and stability in achieving sustainable energy security.
“Without reducing conflicts around the world, economic imperatives and global energy security efforts will continue to face significant challenges,” the minister said.
