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Ministry Of Defence, Solid Minerals Partner To Secure Mining Fields

Published

2 years ago

November 18, 2023

Joel Ajayi

In a show of solidarity, the Ministry of Defence will collaborate with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development on securing the mining fields across the country to make the sector realize its goal of contributing substantially to the gross domestic product and increasing revenue accruable to coffers of the government.

The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, and his counterpart, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, Minister of State Defence; on a courtesy visit gave this assurance while answering questions from newsmen.

Alhaji Badaru said:” The purpose of the visit by the two of us is to discuss how we can provide security in the mining areas, we are working to provide Security on the farms; as well as provide Security in the mining sector, to make the country earn the much need foreign currency; mining sector is critical to help rejuvenate the economy”.

Responding to the initiative of creating mining police by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, the Minister of Defence lauded the concept, assuring it will receive the necessary boost from the military. He said ” we have to clear the territory as a military to ensure safety. When the Mining Police come, they can take it up from there and continue to provide security in those mining areas ”.

In his comments, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake reaffirmed: ” The main essence is to secure our minerals sector. I have been saying it, even to foreign and local investors. That we need to secure our mineral sector so that the operators both local and foreign can have an atree and unfettered atmosphere to operate so that we can derive maximum benefits from these God-given resources. And I have been saying that I am working in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence, inter-military agencies are involved, all the security architecture that we are reinvigorating.”

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Ogunlesi backs Tinubu reforms as FIRS chairman Adedeji highlights export-led economy

Published

3 hours ago

October 6, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

After a high-level meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, Nigerian-born global investor Adebayo Ogunlesi expressed renewed confidence in the country’s economic reforms, indicating potential mega investments across energy, aviation, and port sectors.

He was joined in that optimism by Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), who stressed that the reforms were laying the groundwork for an export-driven economy.

Speaking to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Ogunlesi praised the sweeping policy changes under Tinubu’s administration, including the removal of subsidies, tax reforms, and the revival of a refinery already exporting aviation fuel.

“We had an excellent meeting where we discussed how to put Nigeria front and center for international investment. The President was very encouraging, and we shared useful suggestions on driving economic growth,” Ogunlesi said.
Although he declined to reveal specific details, Ogunlesi confirmed that his firm is actively investing in Nigeria and assessing new opportunities.

“Watch this space. Nigeria is not yet the most exciting investment destination, but that’s what we are working on,” he teased.

Pressed on the sectors of interest, Ogunlesi highlighted energy, gas, aviation, ports, and renewables. Drawing on his firm’s experience with LNG projects in Texas and Australia, he noted Nigeria’s massive untapped gas reserves.

On aviation, he acknowledged his reputation as “the guy who bought Gatwick Airport” and signaled interest in similar ventures locally.
He also admitted that one of his companies operates ports in Cotonou and Lomé but none in Nigeria, a point Tinubu reportedly challenged him on.

“He forgave me but said, ‘you have to bring port investment to Nigeria,’” Ogunlesi recounted with a smile.

International investor Hakeem Bello-Osagie, who was also present, underscored the importance of diaspora participation in Nigeria’s growth story.
“When Nigerians at home and abroad invest in Nigeria, it sends a strong signal to the world,” he said, lauding Tinubu’s policies for making the country “investable.”

Echoing the sentiment, FIRS chairman Adedeji described the reforms as the foundation for an export-led economy.

“We’ve done the fundamentals, and now it is time to deliver growth,” he said.

With global players signaling confidence, the momentum for Nigeria’s economic repositioning is gaining ground, setting the stage for transformative investments in key industries.

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