To bolster Nigeria’s mining sector, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has inaugurated a specialised capacity-building programme for Nigerian mining professionals at Murdoch University, Australia.
The initiative is the product of a strategic partnership between Nigeria and Australia, supported by the Commonwealth Government, and aims to bridge critical skill gaps in the sector while fostering stronger Afro-Pacific cooperation.
The programme is the outcome of a bilateral agreement sealed during the 2023 Africa Down Under (ADU) Conference in Perth. There, Dr. Alake engaged with the Government of Western Australia—through the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum—and Murdoch University to establish a technical training scheme tailored to Nigeria’s mining professionals.
The collaboration, facilitated by the Australian High Commission in Nigeria, has now taken off with a two-week pilot training involving eleven Nigerian participants. Hosted at Murdoch University, the course covers areas such as extractive metallurgy, sustainable geochemistry, and mineral science research. Participants will also embark on field visits and engage with global experts to explore trends, sustainability strategies, and investment opportunities in the mining industry.
At the programme launch, Dr. Alake hailed the initiative as a dream realized within a remarkably short time.
“I must not fail to acknowledge the encouragement and support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the efforts of the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, H.E. Leilani Bin-Juda, who has been a pillar of support throughout this process—constantly engaging, traveling back and forth, and ensuring this vision comes to life,” he said.
“I also express profound gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and faculty of Murdoch University for opening their facilities to us so warmly. Establishing a working relationship with a leading mining nation like Australia is crucial to strengthening bilateral ties and fostering mutually beneficial development in our mining sectors.”
Dr. Alake encouraged the participants to see themselves as pioneers of a new era in Nigeria’s extractive industry, urging them to use their acquired knowledge to shape more robust policies and enhance national capacity.
“Let this moment mark the beginning of a transformative journey—not just for those attending this course, but for the millions of Nigerians who stand to benefit from a better-governed, more inclusive, and more productive minerals sector,” he added.
Welcoming the Nigerian team, Murdoch University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andrew Deeks, reiterated the institution’s commitment to global development through inclusive and sustainable education.
“The support of the Commonwealth Government underscores the importance of our nations coming together to share knowledge for the mutual benefit of our societies,” Deeks said.
Also lending support to the partnership, the Western Australian Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Hon. David Michael, lauded the exchange as a strong example of collaborative innovation in the mining sector. As part of the programme, the participants will also be hosted by the Australian Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety for a practical, policy-oriented engagement.
The training marks a bold stride towards enhancing Nigeria’s technical depth and leveraging global expertise for domestic transformation, setting the stage for more strategic partnerships in the future.
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