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The Federal Government has launched the Early-Stage Mineral Exploration and Research Grant Endowment (EMERGE) programme as part of efforts to deepen mineral exploration, strengthen research, and accelerate local processing of Nigeria’s vast mineral resources.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, said the initiative marks a major step in the ongoing transformation of the mining sector and is aimed at unlocking investment opportunities, generating reliable geological data, and promoting value addition within the country.
Speaking at the launch, Alake said EMERGE would focus on three strategic pillars: mineral exploration, critical minerals development, and research and development to position Nigeria as a major player in the global minerals value chain.
According to him, the programme is designed to support the discovery of commercially viable mineral deposits, encourage local processing and refining, and fund innovative research that will drive sustainable growth in the sector.
“EMERGE is a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening geological exploration, supporting critical minerals development, and promoting research that adds value to Nigeria’s mineral resources,” Alake said.
The minister stressed that the Federal Government is deliberately shifting away from the traditional model of exporting raw minerals toward a value-addition strategy that prioritises local processing, beneficiation, and industrial development.
He disclosed that grants under the programme would also support geoscience and mineral-processing research in Nigerian tertiary institutions, with a view to bridging knowledge gaps and fostering innovation.
Alake further revealed that the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) has already facilitated significant investments in the mining sector, including a 1.5 million metric tonnes-per-annum aluminium refinery project aimed at boosting local industrial capacity.
He assured stakeholders that the selection process for grant beneficiaries would be transparent, competitive, and merit-based.
“Applications will be independently assessed by experts to ensure that only the most impactful and viable projects receive support,” he stated.
Earlier, Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund, Fatima Shinkafi, described EMERGE as a landmark initiative that aligns with the Federal Government’s broader reforms to attract investment, improve geological data generation, and strengthen local value addition.
According to her, the programme will empower indigenous miners, stimulate industrial growth, and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the rapidly expanding global market for critical minerals.
Shinkafi noted that as the world accelerates the transition to cleaner energy technologies, demand for critical minerals continues to rise, creating opportunities for Nigeria to emerge as a preferred investment destination.
She expressed confidence that EMERGE would unlock new opportunities across the mining value chain while supporting the government’s agenda of economic diversification and job creation.
Stakeholders from the mining industry, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the National Assembly, and other key institutions attended the launch, which was widely seen as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s drive to build a globally competitive and value-driven mining sector.
