Business
Nigeria as Africa’s Minerals Hub
Nigeria strengthens its position as Africa’s minerals hub with lithium and gold plants for global green energy supply
Nigeria is positioning itself as Africa’s leading minerals hub through the establishment of lithium processing and gold refining plants, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, announced during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Mr. Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, ahead of the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh.
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Dr. Alake revealed that a $600 million lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State is ready for commissioning, alongside an operational gold refining plant in Lagos and three additional gold refineries at various stages of development across the country.
The minister highlighted Nigeria’s value-addition policy, stressing that it is already yielding tangible results while supporting the country’s ambitions to become a critical global partner in minerals essential for the transition to green energy.
“We are keen on structuring agreements that will enable us to engage meaningfully and constructively,” Dr. Alake said, citing priority areas including capacity building, training of mining professionals, technology transfer, and exploration.
He emphasised Nigeria’s vast landmass is rich in critical minerals and rare earth elements required by the global economy.
Dr. Alake noted that mineral traceability, adherence to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards, and mine-pit remediation are essential for attracting investment.
Minister Al-Khorayef praised Nigeria’s long-standing partnership with Saudi Arabia and proposed a draft Memorandum of Understanding for solid minerals development to be presented during the forum.
He encouraged Nigeria to leverage the platform to showcase investment opportunities and adopt advanced mining technologies.
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The ministers agreed that collaboration based on fairness, equity, and mutual benefit would accelerate industrialisation in Nigeria’s mining sector while attracting foreign investors to support sustainable growth.
The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has dismissed allegations that it appropriated the Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS) brand, insisting it lawfully obtained trademark acceptance for the name and will proceed with its 2026 summit as scheduled.
In a statement issued on September 12, 2026, the chamber described claims by Kunle Nwiwa Junior as “cheap blackmail, misleading, mischievous and a misrepresentation of the facts,” maintaining that it independently developed the summit and followed all required regulatory procedures.
According to NDCCITMA, it applied for and received a Trademark Acceptance Letter for the name Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS) in August 2025 under File No. NG/TM/O/2025/387284.
The chamber said the chronology of events contradicts allegations that it copied another party’s application, arguing that its trademark acceptance predated the period during which Nwiwa’s own application was reportedly still pending before the relevant authorities.
“Economic Summit” is a generic expression
NDCCITMA further argued that the phrase “Economic Summit” is a generic description widely used for conferences that bring together governments, investors, businesses, development institutions and other stakeholders to discuss investment and economic development.
The chamber maintained that while concepts may be widely used, legal protection only arises from recognised intellectual property rights, including duly registered trademarks and other enforceable proprietary interests.
It therefore rejected suggestions that any individual or organisation has exclusive ownership of the broader concept of an economic summit.
Court grants interim injunction
Addressing reports that the summit had been halted, NDCCITMA said the dispute is already before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt and that there is no court order restraining the event.
The chamber disclosed that in Suit No. FHC/PHC/CS/57/2026, Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam granted an interim injunction restraining the defendants—Kunle Nwiwa Junior and Keneva Consult Ltd.—from interfering with the planned summit.
According to NDCCITMA, the court also directed the defendants to remove publications, notices, petitions, social media posts and other statements allegedly considered damaging to the chamber’s name, integrity and reputation pending the hearing of its motion for interlocutory injunction.
The matter has been adjourned until September 22, 2026 for further hearing.
Chamber rejects ₦500 million demand claim
NDCCITMA also alleged that it had received a demand from Nwiwa Junior requesting ₦500 million as a condition for abandoning his claims over the summit.
The chamber said the demand was rejected, adding that it subsequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what it described as repeated harassment and threats directed at its officials.
It said the petition sought police intervention, including inviting the complainant for questioning and caution where necessary.
Summit opens September 15
Despite the legal dispute, NDCCITMA reaffirmed that the 2026 Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit will hold from September 15 to 17, 2026, at the Obi Wali Conference Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The summit will be held under the theme “Driving Investment, Innovation & Industrial Growth in the Niger Delta” and is expected to bring together policymakers, investors, business leaders, development partners and industry stakeholders to discuss economic transformation across the region.
The chamber said it remains committed to promoting commerce, industry, trade, mining, agriculture and sustainable economic development throughout the Niger Delta while allowing the courts to determine all outstanding legal issues.
Tinubu Niger Delta summit opens in Port Harcourt as investors and policymakers gather to drive investment, innovation and industrial growth
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