Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has been honoured with the prestigious African Champion of the Year by the African Professionals of Australia (APA), recognising his transformative contributions to the mining sector and his strong advocacy for diaspora engagement.
The award was formally presented during the Australia-Africa Diaspora Investment Forum on September 5, 2025, held in Perth alongside the renowned Africa Down Under (ADU) Mining Conference.
According to a statement released by Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, the forum was a high-level gathering hosted at the Pan Pacific Hotel. It brought together distinguished leaders, investors, and professionals from across Africa and its diaspora for a vibrant evening of dialogue and networking.
The Certificate of Recognition and the 2025 African Professional Champion of the Year Award were jointly presented by Dr. Toyosi Craig, President of APA WA, and Mr. Tommy Adebayo, Chairman of APA.
Notable dignitaries included Ambassador Anwar Muktar and Ambassador Dr. Jane Adams, Consul Generals of Ethiopia and Nigeria.
Delivering Dr. Alake’s keynote address on his behalf, Mr. Martin Imonite, Managing Director/CEO of Nigeria Solid Minerals Company, reiterated the Minister’s unwavering dedication to overhauling Nigeria’s solid minerals sector and building robust ties with African professionals globally. “Dr. Alake remains fully committed to deepening reforms and fostering meaningful engagement with the diaspora,” Imonite affirmed.
The event also featured a dynamic panel discussion on investment, business, expert recruitment, and emerging opportunities across the continent—underscoring the expanding influence of diaspora professionals in shaping Africa’s development trajectory.
Founded in 2007, the African Professionals of Australia (APA) is one of the largest African professional networks in the country. It boasts a diverse membership of over 1,500 professionals from more than 20 African nations. Spanning disciplines such as medicine, engineering, IT, law, accounting, education, and community development, APA is a vital platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and collective impact between Africans and Australians.
LEADERSHIP reports that since he emerged as minister of solid mineral development in Nigeria, Alake has been championing the cause for Africans to stop exporting their mineral assets in their raw forms and add value to them to attract higher earnings. In recognition, he was appointed the pioneer chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG).
