Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
Nigeria is set to deepen bilateral ties with Canada in a renewed push to fast-track reforms in the mining sector, as the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, canvassed stronger collaboration to unlock investment and modernise the industry.
Alake made the call while hosting the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Pasquale Salvaggio, in Abuja, stressing that Canada’s global leadership in mining technology and regulation positions it as a key partner in Nigeria’s reform agenda.
He said Nigeria is ready to leverage Canadian expertise to de-risk the mining environment, formalise artisanal operations, strengthen professional capacity and attract foreign direct investment. The minister also highlighted incentives designed to make the sector more attractive, including tax waivers on mining equipment and guaranteed repatriation of profits after statutory payments.
Reflecting on historical ties, Alake recalled Canada’s support for Nigeria during the pro-democracy struggle following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election, noting that the solidarity helped galvanise international pressure that paved the way for the return to civil rule in 1999.
In response, Salvaggio commended Nigeria’s reform efforts and described the mining sector as a major area of opportunity for expanded trade. He noted that Nigeria is Canada’s second-largest trading partner in Africa and expressed confidence that bilateral trade could grow significantly in the coming years.
The envoy urged the Federal Government to revive and ratify the stalled Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA), saying it would boost investor confidence and strengthen investment security. He also pledged Canada’s readiness to expand technical support and capacity-building programmes for Nigerian mining professionals.
Alake assured that the agreement would be reviewed and expedited, reiterating President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to attracting foreign investment as a pathway to economic growth and job creation.
Both countries agreed to set up a joint working group to identify priority areas and develop clear timelines for implementing their renewed mining partnership.
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