Nigeria and France have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to revive over 2,000 abandoned mining pits across Nigeria.
The agreement, finalized during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to France, highlights a shared commitment to sustainable mining practices and economic diversification.
These abandoned pits, which have posed environmental and safety challenges, will be remediated to improve the living conditions of affected communities while creating opportunities for sustainable mining.
The collaboration focuses on critical minerals like copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements, essential for clean energy technologies.
Joint extractive and processing projects, co-financed by public and private entities, will diversify and secure the supply of these critical minerals while reducing the environmental impact of mining. Initiatives to address carbon emissions, water consumption, and climate change are also central to the agreement.
Capacity building is another key component of the partnership. Both countries will collaborate on research, training, and Franco-Nigerian student exchanges to enhance knowledge and skills transfer. Regular seminars, training programs, and events will equip professionals with expertise in managing the critical minerals sector, bolstering Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake signed the MoU on behalf of Nigeria, while Benjamin Gallezot, France’s Inter-Ministerial Delegate for Critical Ores and Metals, represented France.
Alake emphasized that this partnership aligns with President Tinubu’s efforts to reposition Nigeria’s solid minerals sector and attract French investors.
Additionally, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah described Tinubu’s visit to France as a catalyst for economic growth, emphasizing its potential to enhance subnational development. Mbah highlighted ongoing collaborations between Enugu State and France’s development finance institution, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), including efforts to expand the state’s urban water scheme.
This partnership is expected to attract French investors, boost Nigeria’s mining sector, and contribute significantly to its economic diversification efforts.
