The Federal Government has unveiled a new initiative aimed at unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s mineral resources and attracting more investment into the mining sector.
The programme, known as the Early-Stage Mineral Exploration and Research Grant Endowment (EMERGE), was officially launched in Abuja by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake. The initiative is designed to provide financial support for mineral exploration, research activities, and the development of critical minerals needed for modern industries and the global energy transition.
According to the government, EMERGE will help address one of the biggest challenges facing Nigeria’s mining industry—limited funding for early-stage exploration and research. The programme is expected to benefit exploration companies, research institutions, universities, and businesses involved in mineral development.
Speaking during the launch, Alake described EMERGE as a key part of the Federal Government’s strategy to transform the solid minerals sector into a major driver of economic growth, industrialisation, and job creation.
He explained that Nigeria possesses vast mineral resources, but many deposits remain unexplored due to insufficient investment in exploration activities. Through EMERGE, the government hopes to generate reliable geological data, attract private investors, and increase local processing of minerals instead of exporting raw materials.
The minister highlighted the remarkable growth recorded in the sector over the past few years. According to him, revenues generated from solid minerals have risen significantly as a result of ongoing reforms.
He noted that the sector contributed about N16 billion to the Federation’s revenue in 2023. That figure increased to N38 billion in 2024 and exceeded N70 billion in 2025. The increase represents growth of more than 337 percent within two years.
Alake said the success demonstrates how policy reforms and improved governance can unlock greater value from Nigeria’s natural resources.
The EMERGE programme will operate through three major funding channels. The first is the Exploration Stream, which will support early-stage geological surveys and exploration activities aimed at discovering and proving new mineral deposits.
The second is the Critical Minerals Stream, which will focus on minerals that are essential for renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles, batteries, and other modern industrial applications. Funding under this category will also support local processing technologies that enable Nigeria to refine and add value to these minerals domestically.
The third is the Research and Development Stream, which will provide support for scientific studies, geoscience research, and mineral-processing innovations that can improve the sector’s productivity and competitiveness.
To ensure transparency and accountability, Alake stated that all applications will undergo a merit-based assessment process. The programme will be independently administered by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), which will oversee the selection process.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Solid Minerals Development Fund, Hajiya Fatima Umaru Shinkafi, explained that EMERGE was created to fill a long-standing financing gap in the mining industry.
She said many promising exploration and research projects struggle to secure funding, limiting the growth of the sector. According to her, the grant programme will help attract private-sector participation, encourage innovation, and promote value addition within Nigeria’s mining industry.
With the launch of EMERGE, the Federal Government hopes to accelerate mineral discoveries, strengthen research capacity, create new economic opportunities, and position Nigeria as a leading player in Africa’s growing mining sector.
