Nigeria Launches Solid Minerals Awards to Boost Non-Oil Sector

Nigeria is set to spotlight its mining industry with the inaugural Solid Minerals Excellence Awards (SOMEA), scheduled for 14 May 2026, at the Abuja Continental Hotel.

Themed “Unlocking the Future,” the event is expected to bring together policymakers, investors, diplomats, and industry leaders to discuss the future of Nigeria’s economy beyond oil.

Organisers said the awards are designed to recognise individuals and organisations driving growth in the solid minerals sector, which has long been described as underdeveloped despite Nigeria’s vast deposits of lithium, gold, limestone, and other strategic resources.

According to a statement issued to journalists in Abuja, the initiative aims to shift attention toward what it described as the “hidden giants” powering infrastructure development, industrial growth, and emerging technologies across the country.

The statement added that, from lithium supporting the global electric vehicle revolution to gold, limestone, and rare earth minerals, the sector is increasingly central to Nigeria’s long-term economic transformation.

Endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, the awards have received backing as part of broader efforts to promote responsible, safe, and sustainable mining practices and to improve transparency and investor confidence in the sector.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has previously described ongoing reforms as critical to positioning the sector as a key pillar of Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.

Project coordinator Femi Da-Silva said the awards aim to bring national recognition to operators who have long worked behind the scenes to build the foundation of the country’s mining economy.

He said the initiative reflects a shift toward formalisation, improved safety standards, and increased investment inflows into the sector.

“We are bringing visibility, recognition, and prestige to a sector that will define the next phase of Nigeria’s economic growth,” he said.

Organisers said the awards will recognise excellence across several categories, including leading mining companies, sustainability and safety performance, and outstanding contributions to sector development.

As Nigeria continues its push to reduce dependence on oil revenues, stakeholders say the solid minerals sector is increasingly being positioned as a critical driver of future growth.

Industry observers note that while challenges such as illegal mining, infrastructure gaps, and regulatory inconsistencies persist, sector reforms are gradually improving investor interest and formal participation.

The Solid Minerals Excellence Awards is expected to become an annual platform aimed at celebrating progress in the sector and reinforcing Nigeria’s position as an emerging mining destination.