The Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula and the Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife has urged global investors to channel their capital into Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, declaring the country strategically positioned to emerge as Africa’s next major mining hub.
The Ooni made the call during the 2026 African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa, where he had led a high-powered Nigerian delegation comprising federal lawmakers, ministers, state officials and private investors to the continent’s foremost mining investment gathering.
Addressing stakeholders at a high-level business dinner hosted by Lomurus Mining Group, the Ooni who is also the Permanent Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) praised the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms in the mining sector and stressed that community-driven mining must remain the foundation for sustainable growth.
“Nigeria is abundantly blessed with mineral resources. What we are witnessing today is a deliberate effort to reposition the sector. Mining must be community development-centred. When host communities are carried along, stability and profitability are guaranteed,” the Ooni stated.
He commended Lomurus Mining Company for integrating Community Development Agreements into its operations, describing its Chairman, Mr. Segun Adebutu, as a bold and forward-thinking investor whose model reflects global best practices. According to the Ooni, responsible mining anchored on local development is the future of the industry.
When Ooni Ogunwusi led the powerful Nigeria’s delegation out of the Lomurus Pavilion to visit the Nigerian Pavilion, he was received by Director General, Nigeria Mining Cadaftral of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals; Engineer Simeon Obadiah Ekong who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Solid Minerals; Hon. Dele Alake who was still on his way to Cape Town from Nigeria.
Engineer Obadiah thanked Ooni Ogunwusi for visiting the Pavilion describing Ooni’s interest in investing in the mining sector in Nigeria as a unique move which will not only yield positive results but will also encourage other well meaning people in Nigeria with an assurance of a stable and gainful profitability. He promised of unflinching support of the Hon. Minister and that of the entire ministry of Solid minerals saying his agency will continue to implement the reforms being carried on by the Minister who according to him is so determined to revolutionise the mining sector to meaningfully serve as a vegetable. driver of national GDP.
Also present to welcome the Ooni and other dignitaries at the Nigeria’s Pavilion were: Special Adviser to the Minister of Solid Minerals and Ex Commissioner for Information in Lagos state; Hon. Kehinde Bamigbetan, Senior Advisor on Mining Policy, Ms Amira Adamu Waziri, senior staff of the Mining Cadaftral Agency and other senior functionaries of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, delivered a detailed address at the dinner, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming the mining sector into a major contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.
Alake disclosed that the ministry has implemented far-reaching reforms aimed at sanitising the licensing system, enhancing transparency, blocking revenue leakages and enforcing compliance with environmental and community development standards.
He said the Renewed Hope reform agenda of President Bola Tinubu has repositioned Nigeria as a competitive and credible mining destination.
“Mining is no longer a neglected sector. We are building a structured, regulated and investor/community-friendly industry. Our focus is value addition, local processing and ensuring that host communities benefit directly from mining activities,” the minister stated.
He explained that the government is strengthening oversight mechanisms and collaborating with the National Assembly to provide a robust legal framework capable of attracting serious investors while deterring illegal operators.
Alake also commended private investors such as Lomurus Mining Group who have shown confidence in Nigeria’s mining potential, noting that partnerships between government and responsible companies will accelerate growth.
Chairman of Lomurus Mining Group, Mr Segun Adebutu, in his remarks, welcomed dignitaries and global stakeholders to the networking dinner, expressing appreciation for the presence of the Ooni, federal lawmakers, ministers and captains of industry.
Adebutu said the vision of Lomurus Mining is anchored on sustainable extraction, transparency and strong host community relationships. According to him, the company is committed to aligning its operations with international best practices and Nigeria’s evolving regulatory framework.
“Our philosophy is simple: mining must create shared prosperity. We believe in structured investments, compliance with regulations and genuine community development. Nigeria hahs enormous mineral potential, and with the reforms currently being implemented, the caaaountry is ready for serious global partnerships,” he said.
He added that Lomurus Mining Group remains committed to expanding its footprint in a manner that guarantees value addition, local employment and infrastructural support for host communities.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Senator Sampson Ekong, assured stakeholders of sustained legislative backing.
He stated that the National Assembly remains committed to enacting and amending laws that will make Nigeria’s mining sector attractive to credible investors while ensuring strict oversight and environmental responsibility.
“Our responsibility is to strengthen the legal framework and ensure that mining activities benefit host communities. We will continue to support reforms that promote eco-friendly and community-centred operations,” Ekong said.
Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory, acknowledged the sector’s progress but called for more intensified efforts. She noted that although Nigeria is endowed with over 40 mineral deposits, the sector currently contributes only a small percentage to GDP.
“We have done well with recent reforms, but we can do better. The National Assembly is committed to supporting the Ministry of Solid Minerals with the necessary laws to drive growth,” she said.
Former Ogun State Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, described the Ooni as the most versatile traditional ruler in contemporary Nigeria.
He commended the monarch’s proactive engagement in economic development and praised the Federal Government’s mining reforms.
Also participating actively at the conference was the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, who led a delegation including the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Wale Egbedun, and other senior officials such as; his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, Special Adviser on SDG, Bankole Omisore(Banks) and Chairman , Osun State Water Corporation, Hon. Samuel Oyedotun.
Governor Adeleke held strategic meetings with investors, positioning Osun as a prime destination for responsible mining partnerships.
He described mining as a critical pillar in Nigeria’s broader diversification agenda and expressed readiness to partner with credible investors.
The lucid significance of this year’s Africa Mining Ndaba is the noticeable representation of the traditional institutions as led by the Ooni of Ife and Chairman, Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council SNTRC alongside other traditional rulers such as; Deputy Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas & Chiefs & Olugbon of Orile Igbon in Oyo state, Nigeria; Oba Francis Olusola Alao, the Alatorin of Atorin – Ijesa in Osun state, Nigeria; Oba Omololu Afilaka and Secretary General (SADC) Africa Union SA Network of Traditional Rulers and Chairman of Luapula Provincial Chiefs Council in the Republic of Zambia; His Royal Highness-Dr-Chief Chisunka.
Also with the Ooni of Ife, a major Mining investor himself who arrived the city of Cape Town at about 2:30pm on Monday with a Private Jet, were a prominent member of the Ooni Caucus, Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, One time governorship aspirant in Ogun state and currently a serving member of National House of Representatives, Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka fondly called GNI, the Chairman Senate Committee on Solid Minerals; Senator Sampson Ekong, his House of Representatives counterpart, Honurable Gbwefi Gaza, Senator, representing Abuja Senatorial District at the National Assembly in Abuja, Senator Ireti Kingibe and top management staff of the Romulus Mining Company Limited led by its Chairman, Olusegun Adebutu
Well received at the Cape Town International Airport at about 2pm, Monday by four members of his Advance Team led by His Director of Media & Public Affairs; Otunba Moses Olafare who had earlier arrived with his team but had to wait at the same airport for the arrival of their principal who was already airborne alongside eminent Nigerians as above listed.
Also, at the airport to welcome the natural head of the Yoruba Race were members of the Yoruba Community known as National Association of Yoruba Descendants (NAYSDA) in South Africa led by it’s Board of Trustee (BOT) member Chief Temitayo Abiodun Odutayo (Oluomo) on behalf of the National President; Prince Adedokun Ademiluyi who was 1,400 kilometres away.
SOURCE: pmexpressng.com
