National Telescope national telescope newspaper
President Bola Tinubu has called on African leaders in the solid minerals sector to prioritise patriotism and proactive management of the continent’s natural resources.
He stated the need to combat illegal exploitation of these resources to ensure sustainable development for the people.
President Tinubu made this statement on Wednesday, when he received a delegation of African Ministers of Solid Minerals at the State House in Abuja.
The delegation was led by Mr. Dele Alake, Chairman of the African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) and Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals.
During the meeting, President Tinubu urged the ministers to protect Africa’s mineral wealth from illegal exploiters, highlighting the importance of realising the true value of the continent’s resources.
“We will lead the continent to self-realisation on the value of our minerals and economic ingenuity, and this will occur as we free it from undue exploitation and abuse,” he said.
Mr. Alake, in his remarks, explained that the AMSG was formed out of the necessity to address the “divide and rule tactics” that have historically weakened African countries’ negotiating power in the global market.
He recounted that the need for a united front was underscored during an international forum on solid minerals held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, earlier this year.
“The world needs critical metals for energy transition and green energy, and these critical metals are largely deposited in Africa.
“If we do not come together and speak with one voice, those who have exploited Africans for centuries will continue to do so,” Mr. Alake said.
He also noted that the Riyadh Conference facilitated the adoption of local value-addition policies, recommended for all African countries. These policies aim to ensure that no investor can exploit varying terms across different African nations.
Mr. Alake emphasised the importance of a unified policy direction among African countries, stating, “If we all come together to form a common policy direction, an investor will meet the same stringent terms across all African countries, thus compelling fair negotiations.”
The AMSG’s efforts, according to Mr. Alake, are designed to end the longstanding exploitation mechanisms used against the continent.
“The issue of divide and rule, which has been a mechanism used to exploit our continent for centuries, will no longer be tenable,” he affirmed.
Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, reiterated the administration’s commitment to defending Africa’s mineral resources and promoting sustainable upliftment for its people.
