Nigeria and France have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the diversification of critical value chains in their solid minerals sectors. The agreement was finalised during President Bola Tinubu’s official visit to France, as announced in a statement on Sunday by Segun Tomori, media aide to Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development.
The MoU, signed by the Minister and Benjamin Gallezot, France’s inter-ministerial delegate for critical ores and metals focuses on research, training, and Franco-Nigerian student exchanges to promote knowledge and skills transfer. Both countries also agreed to uphold international best practices, ensuring transparency and community benefits in mining operations.
According to Mr. Tomori, the MoU aims to address over 2,000 abandoned mining pits across Nigeria through environmental rehabilitation and post-mining interventions, which will ultimately improve living conditions for local communities impacted by mining activities.
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Alake described the agreement as a significant step toward boosting Nigeria’s mining sector’s global competitiveness, adding that the federal government would leverage this partnership to attract French investment and reposition the country’s solid minerals industry for sustainable growth.
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