Nigeria and the United States have signed an agreement aimed at strengthening cooperation in the critical minerals sector, including geological data, mineral exploration, processing, infrastructure development and technical capacity building.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, and the US Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau, at the Nigerian Mission House.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Alake described the agreement as a future-driven framework that would provide a platform for both countries to deepen collaboration across Nigeria’s mineral value chain.
He said the framework reflects a shared commitment to developing secure and resilient critical-mineral supply chains anchored on responsible investment.
Alake stressed that Nigeria’s objective was to move beyond the export of raw minerals by developing greater domestic value through local processing, skills development, job creation and increased opportunities for Nigerian businesses.
“But let me be clear about Nigeria’s ambition. We are not here to remain a source of raw material for the value that others create. Our goal is to turn potential into lasting value at home through stronger local processing, new skills, quality jobs, and new opportunities for Nigerian businesses.”
The minister said implementation of the agreement would support the economic diversification objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and contribute to industrial development.
Landau, who expressed support for Nigeria’s position, described the country as Africa’s most populous nation and a major regional power deserving of a strong partnership with the United States.
He said the agreement would create opportunities for greater prosperity in both countries, adding that Washington was committed to supporting Nigeria’s economic growth.
“The signal we are sending is that the United States and Nigeria are partners,” Landau said.
He added that under the leadership of US President Donald Trump and President Tinubu, both countries had achieved significant milestones in bilateral cooperation over the past 18 months.
“I think we would like to keep building on that momentum,” he said.
