News
Africa Must Move Beyond Raw Mineral Exports, Embrace Value Addition — Tinubu
By Joel Ajayi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for stronger cooperation among African countries to end the export of raw minerals and ensure that the continent derives greater economic value from its vast mineral resources.
Tinubu made the call on Monday in New York during the third Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) High-Level Roundtable on Critical Minerals Development in Africa, held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President said Africa must move beyond its traditional role as a supplier of raw materials and develop local capacity for processing, refining, manufacturing and other forms of value addition.
The roundtable, chaired by Tinubu alongside Shettima and AMSG Chairman and Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, was themed: “From Resources to Wealth: Continental Cooperation for Mineral Value Addition, Data Sovereignty, Innovative Financing and Critical Minerals Security.”
Tinubu said Africa could not continue exporting its mineral wealth while communities where the resources are extracted remain deprived of jobs, infrastructure and economic opportunities.
He identified processing, refining, battery production, component manufacturing, technology transfer and skills development as key areas through which Africa could convert its mineral resources into sustainable wealth.
According to him, the value of mining should be measured not only by revenue generated but also by the jobs, industries, infrastructure, technology and prosperity created for African communities.
The President also warned against competition among African countries through lower royalties, weak local-content requirements and excessive concessions, saying such fragmentation could undermine the continent’s bargaining position.
He advocated coordinated policies, integrated markets, shared infrastructure and stronger African financing mechanisms to improve the continent’s negotiating strength in the global critical-minerals market.
Tinubu said Nigeria would continue to pursue policies requiring greater local value addition, improved geological data, formalisation of artisanal mining and stronger measures against illegal mining.
He also urged AMSG members to speak with one voice in advancing Africa’s interests, stressing that partnerships with international investors should promote mutual benefit, technological development and African industrial capacity.
The meeting also adopted the Continental Integration and Economic Assurance Declaration (CIEAD), which Tinubu said should be backed by clear timelines, financing arrangements, implementation mechanisms and public accountability rather than remain merely a declaration.
Earlier in his remarked, Alake described CIEAD as a proposed framework for creating a unified continental architecture for Africa’s critical and solid-minerals value chains.
He urged more African countries to join AMSG, arguing that greater cooperation would help align policies, resources, financing and infrastructure development across the continent.
Kenya’s Minister of Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Hassan Ali Joho, also stressed the importance of domestic resource mobilisation, transparency and greater alignment of licensing procedures while respecting the sovereignty of individual member states.
News
Nigeria at 66: ‘We Must Not Lose Faith in Nigeria’ — FCC Boss Omidiran
Joel Ajayi
The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Honorable Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, has called on Nigerians to use the occasion of the nation’s 66th Independence Anniversary to renew their faith in Nigeria, strengthen national unity and recommit themselves to building a more inclusive and prosperous country.
In her 66th Independence Day message, Hon. Omidiran described October 1 as more than a celebration of freedom, saying the anniversary provides an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s journey, acknowledge its progress and challenges, and renew the collective determination to build a nation where every citizen has a sense of belonging.
According to the FCC Executive Chairman, the Federal Character Principle remains particularly important to the quest for national cohesion because equitable representation promotes a sense of ownership and confidence in the Nigerian project.
“Nigeria is a nation of great diversity and
enormous potential. Our responsibility is to ensure that this diversity becomes a bridge that connects us rather than a barrier that separates us. Every Nigerian deserves to feel that he or she belongs to this country and has a role to play in its development,” Omidiran said.
The FCC boss called on government institutions at all levels to remain committed to fairness, equity, accountability and inclusive governance, while urging citizens to support efforts aimed at strengthening national institutions and promoting peaceful coexistence.
“We must not lose faith in Nigeria. The challenges before us are real, but so are the opportunities and the enormous human and natural resources available to us. Every citizen has a responsibility to contribute his or her own quota to building the Nigeria we desire,” she stated.
The FCC Executive Chairman also urged young Nigerians to remain committed to acquiring knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship, innovation, sports and other productive ventures, describing the youth as critical stakeholders in the country’s future.
“As we celebrate 66 years of independence, let us remember that the Nigeria we want cannot be built by government alone. It requires the commitment of all of us – leaders and citizens, young and old, from every part of the federation. Together, we can build a Nigeria where justice, fairness, opportunity and peace are available to all,” she said.
Omidiran reaffirmed the FCC’s commitment to the effective discharge of its constitutional mandate and to supporting efforts that promote equitable representation and inclusive national development across the federation.
The former lawmaker wished Nigerians at home and abroad a peaceful and memorable 66th Independence Anniversary, praying for continued peace, stability, prosperity and progress for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Our differences should never be greater than our common identity as Nigerians. Let us continue to choose unity over division, service over self-interest and hope over despair. The Nigeria of our dreams is possible if we all play our part,” Omidiran said.
“On behalf of the Federal Character Commission, I congratulate all Nigerians on this 66th Independence Anniversary. May this occasion renew our patriotism, strengthen our unity and inspire us to work together for a stronger, more equitable and prosperous Nigeria. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she added.
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