The United States of America and the Nigerian Government have signed a strategic deal to deepen cooperation in solid minerals development and geological exploration.
Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, disclosed this at the Nigerian Mission House in New York, during the signing ceremony on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. He described it as a future-driven framework for collaboration between both countries in the areas of geological data and exploration, mineral development and processing, infrastructure, and technical capacity to drive industrial growth.
Alake, however, stressed Nigeria’s resolve to move beyond exporting raw materials.
“But let me be clear about Nigeria’s ambition. We are not here to remain a source of raw material for the value 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,” Alake said
On his part, US Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau, said Washington is committed to supporting Nigeria’s economic growth, noting that the partnership would bring greater prosperity to both nations.
“The signal we are sending is that the United States and Nigeria are partners. 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,” he added.