By Becky Usman

The recently appointed Federal Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, has called for collaboration from the ministry’s management and staff, urging them to adopt a results-driven approach to fulfill the presidential mandate of economic growth and diversification within the sector.

Alake made this plea during his visit to the Ministry of Solid Minerals headquarters, formerly known as the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD), in Abuja. He was accompanied by his counterpart, Shuibu Audu, the Minister of Steel. Their inauguration took place at Aso Rock on Monday, with Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the presiding official.

Acknowledging the declining fortunes of Nigeria’s oil sector, which has historically been the nation’s economic backbone, Alake emphasized that the responsibility of fostering economic growth now lies with sectors such as solid minerals, given their significance in international trade dynamics.

“Due to the sector’s importance to the President, I’ve been tasked to lead this ministry. We are determined to drive innovation and achieve tangible results, all while adhering to legitimate means,” he stated.

Minister Audu, focusing on steel development, reiterated his commitment to completing the Ajaokuta Steel Company project within the administration’s tenure. He outlined his administration’s priorities, which include creating a development roadmap for the steel sector, actively advancing the Ajaokuta steel project, and advocating for necessary legislative measures to regulate the sector.

“Our previous leaders recognized the importance of steel development but lacked the necessary political will to achieve their objectives. Ajaokuta Steel plant, a cornerstone of steel development, has been in progress for over 40 years. Our goal is to initiate production and ensure the creation of at least a small sheet of steel during this administration,” Audu explained.

Highlighting the significance of steel for national development, Audu stressed that if managed effectively, it could mark the beginning of an industrial revolution for the country.

Furthermore, Audu pointed out that the establishment of the ministry aligns with President Tinubu’s mandate to drive comprehensive national development through the sector.