Nigeria has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Republic of Türkiye to attract investment into its solid minerals sector, in a major push to unlock what officials estimate could be a US$750 billion untapped mineral base and reposition the country as a key player in global critical minerals supply chains.
The agreement, signed at the 2nd Istanbul Natural Resources Summit, brings together Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development Oladele Henry Alake and Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar. It is designed to deepen cooperation in mining technology, geological exploration, digital mining systems, and capacity building.
Officials say the deal is part of Nigeria’s broader effort over the past three years to reform its mining sector, improve transparency, and attract credible long term investors. The government has also intensified efforts to curb illegal mining, which has long undermined revenue generation and regulatory oversight in the sector.
According to Alake, the partnership reflects a new phase in Nigeria’s mining strategy, which prioritises structured investment and technical collaboration over informal extraction activities.
“This partnership opens the door to greater collaboration in mining technology, exploration, digitisation, and capacity building. We remain committed to building a mining sector that is transparent, secure, and attractive to serious investors,” he said.
He added that recent reforms have already begun to restore investor confidence, with improvements in the ease of doing business and stronger enforcement measures contributing to renewed interest in Nigeria’s mineral resources.
Türkiye’s role in the agreement is focused on technical cooperation rather than direct resource ownership. Turkish officials have described the partnership as a “win win approach” aimed at strengthening economic ties while supporting Nigeria’s industrial development goals.
Bayraktar noted that the two countries first signed a mining cooperation agreement in 2021 and that the latest deal is intended to turn that framework into more practical and results driven collaboration.
“We believe we will take our partnership with Nigeria in energy and natural resources to a much higher level with a win win approach,” he said.
The move comes at a time when African countries are increasingly tightening control over their natural resources while also seeking strategic partnerships to develop local capacity. Governments across the continent are pushing for greater value addition, stronger regulation, and increased domestic participation in extractive industries.
Countries such as Ghana and Zimbabwe have recently introduced stricter mining policies, including tougher lease renewal conditions and localisation requirements aimed at ensuring that more value remains within their economies. In Ghana, mining leases are being subjected to more rigorous review processes, while Zimbabwe has prioritised domestic ownership in key mineral sectors such as lithium and gold.
Nigeria’s latest agreement reflects a similar ambition to move beyond raw mineral exports and build a more structured, investment friendly mining ecosystem. The government hopes that partnerships like the one with Türkiye will help bridge long standing gaps in exploration technology, data systems, and industrial capacity.
Industry analysts say Africa’s mining sector is entering a new phase of global competition, driven by rising demand for critical minerals used in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and advanced technologies. This has intensified interest from global powers seeking to secure long term access to strategic resources.
China remains the dominant external player on the continent, with large scale investments across countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, and Guinea. Its approach is largely centred on infrastructure backed resource deals and integrated supply chain control.
Türkiye, by contrast, is emerging as a smaller but increasingly active partner, focusing on bilateral agreements, technical assistance, and exploration support. Nigeria’s decision to engage Ankara reflects this evolving multipolar landscape in Africa’s resource sector.
The new partnership is expected to expand cooperation in geological mapping, digital mining systems, and skills development, all of which are critical to modernising Nigeria’s mining industry. It also aligns with broader efforts to diversify the economy away from oil dependence and build a more resilient resource base.
As global competition for minerals intensifies, Nigeria’s strategy highlights a wider shift across Africa, where governments are balancing the need for foreign investment with stronger control over their natural resources and a growing push for industrialisation.
