The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, has called for stronger bilateral ties with Canada, signalling Nigeria's readiness to harness the North American nation's world-class mining technology and technical know-how to fast-track ongoing reforms in the solid minerals sector.

During a meeting with the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, H.E. Pasquale Salvaggio, at the ministry's headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, Minister Alake underscored the need for deepened collaboration to attract investment, drive growth, and institutionalise global best practices across the mining value chain.

Reflecting on historical ties, the Minister recalled Canada's firm support for Nigeria during the pro-democracy movement following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

He described Canada as a dependable ally whose principled stance helped galvanise international pressure that ultimately facilitated the return to democratic rule in 1999.

"Canada stood firmly on the side of the Nigerian people during our pro-democracy struggle.

The cooperation we enjoyed from the Canadian High Commission was exemplary and deeply encouraging. We regarded Canada as an archetypal pro-democracy ally.

Today, we are committed to strengthening that relationship, particularly in mining and mineral development, where Canada's global reputation for excellence is well established," the Minister stated.

Minister Alake outlined key areas where Nigerian-Canadian collaboration could yield transformative results, including de-risking the mining environment to boost investor confidence, formalising and regulating artisanal mining operations, and facilitating technology transfer to support rapid sectoral advancement.

He also reaffirmed the federal government's commitment to capacity building for local mining professionals, expressing interest in expanding technical exchange programmes with Canadian institutions.

To underscore Nigeria's readiness for business, the Minister highlighted a suite of fiscal incentives already in place, including tax waivers on imported mining equipment and full repatriation of profits once statutory obligations such as taxes and royalties are met.

These measures, he noted, are designed to create a competitive and transparent investment climate capable of attracting major international players.

In his remarks, Ambassador Salvaggio commended the Minister's recognition of Canada's mining leadership and acknowledged Nigeria as Canada's second-largest trading partner in Africa, with significant untapped potential for expansion.

He urged the Nigerian government to revisit the long-stalled Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA), initially signed in 2014 but yet to be ratified. According to the High Commissioner, ratifying the agreement would provide legally-binding protections for Canadian investors, significantly enhancing investor confidence and guaranteeing investment security.

The Ambassador also praised the recent establishment of the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company (NSMC), describing it as a bold and strategic initiative that signals government seriousness and is likely to catalyse sectoral growth by providing a credible state-backed vehicle for investment.

Ambassador Salvaggio highlighted the strong connections between Canada and the Nigerian diaspora, noting that both nations are richly endowed with natural resources that could be optimally harnessed through closer cooperation.

He expressed confidence that Nigeria could become Canada's largest trading partner in Africa within the next five to ten years, citing the country's dynamism, entrepreneurial energy, and commercial outlook.

On capacity development, the High Commissioner conveyed Canada's readiness to expand training opportunities for Nigerian mining professionals, including replicating the 2025 training programme at the University of Calgary, Alberta. Additional technical exchange initiatives are also being considered to deepen local expertise in modern mining practices and sustainable resource management.

Responding to the FIPA proposal, Minister Alake acknowledged that while the agreement predates the current administration, the federal government is prepared to review and fast-track its ratification as part of broader efforts to improve the ease of doing business.

He reiterated President Bola Tinubu's unwavering commitment to attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as a strategic pathway to economic diversification, sustainable growth, and job creation for Nigeria's burgeoning youth population.

To ensure the discussions translate into tangible outcomes, both parties agreed to establish a joint working group tasked with identifying priority cooperation areas within the mining sector and developing actionable timelines for implementation.

The renewed engagement signals a significant step forward in Nigeria's quest to transform its solid minerals sector into a major contributor to national revenue, leveraging Canadian expertise to unlock the country's vast mineral wealth while creating sustainable economic opportunities for local communities.