The Federal Government, under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, will collaborate with states to utilise Nigeria's solid mineral resources, according to Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake.
When Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule made him a courtesy call on Friday in Abuja, Alake gave the guarantee.
He said, “The ministry will work with governors to harness mineral resources for maximum socio-economic development of the country.
“Nasarawa State is very significant in terms of the development of the mineral sector, and we are putting the mechanisms together.
“We want to make sure that the nation derives maximum benefits from this God given gift of minerals that are in abundance in Nigeria.â€
Alaka promised that the country will properly and effectively harness and use the resources, describing solid minerals as Nigeria's "next petroleum."
The minister stressed the necessity of efficient synergy and coordination in all the dynamics surrounding the exploration, exploitation, and wise use of the resources for minerals, though.
He thanked the governor for coming and added that collaborations between the federal government and states would support and spur significant growth in the industry.