Business
Alake: Reduction of N531bn 2025 Mining Budget To N9bn Unacceptable
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasized that if Nigeria is serious about developing the mining sector, the 2025 budget proposal must be drastically reviewed upwards.

” In our budget proposals for 2025, we estimated over N531 billion for capital expenditure but was allocated a mere N9 billion.
This is unacceptable, as it will hinder any significant investment in exploration, which is crucial for generating the geo-data that will attract major players.”
Those were the words of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, calling on the National Assembly for a radical upward review of the budget.
Dr Alake, supported the Joint National Assembly Committee on Solid Minerals for having rejected the proposed N9 billion capital budget for the mining sector in the 2025 budget.
He highlighted the positive outcomes of the reforms over the past year, which have created 45,000 new jobs in the sector, up from 30,000 the previous year.
He also noted that the 2024 revenue projection of N11 billion had been exceeded, with N38 billion generated in the year under review.
“We have not only succeeded in attracting global attention to Nigeria’s mining sector, but we have also seen an increase in revenue, despite receiving only 18% of our 2024 capital budget.
The Committee emphasizes that the allocation falls drastically short of the investment required to position solid minerals as the cornerstone of economic diversification.
During the budget defense session on Friday, the Chairman of the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals, Sen. Ekong Sampson, expressed the committee’s displeasure with the proposed allocation, noting that without substantial investments in exploration and other critical areas, the potential of solid minerals to drive the transition to green energy would remain unrealized.
In the same vein, the Co-chairman and House Committee Chairman on Solid Minerals,
Hon. Gaza Gbefwi condemned the reduction of the proposed N531 billion 2025 capital expenditure proposal to N9 billion, describing it as a disservice to the sector, which he argued is crucial for generating revenue beyond oil. “As a House, we will not allow the future of generations to be compromised because of misplaced priorities.
We, as elected representatives, understand the urgent need to diversify our economy, and no sector holds more promise in this regard than solid minerals. If we miss this opportunity to invest today, future generations will not forgive us,” Hon. Gbefwi asserted. Hon.
Gbefwi pointed to countries like Botswana, South Africa, and Ghana, which are investing heavily in exploration, and stressed that with Nigeria’s vast reserves of critical minerals, underfunding the mining sector would prevent it from becoming a key revenue driver for the nation.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasized that if Nigeria is serious about developing the mining sector, the 2025 budget proposal must be drastically reviewed upwards.
She added her voice to the call for the rejection of the proposed budgetary estimates and a suspension of the screening process until the review is implemented.
In an unanimous voice vote, Sen. Ekong Sampson, Chairman of the Joint Committee, announced the committee’s resolution to reject the proposed 2025 budgetary estimates, suspend further screening of the ministry’s budget, and invite the Ministers of Budget and National Planning, as well as Finance, to make a case for an upward review of the mining sector’s budget allocation to ensure the nation fully maximizes the potential of its mineral resources.
Business
BUA Cement records N580.3bn half-year revenue

BUA Cement Plc has reported a revenue of ₦580.3 billion for the first half of 2025, reflecting a significant rise from ₦363.9 billion recorded during the same period in 2024.
The company made the announcement in a corporate disclosure filed with the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Friday.
Also, the company’s gross profit rose from N109.3 billion to N285.8 billion and the profit after tax soared to N180.9 billion up from N34.3 billion.
The earnings per share grew from 101.15k to 534.18k.
Business
Aliko Dangote retires

Foremost entrepreneur and founder of Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote has announced his retirement as a Director and the Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective July 25, 2025.
He is relinquishing his position as chairman and retiring from the board so as to focus more attention on the Refinery, Petrochemicals, Fertiliser and Government Relations, in order to drive the company’s five-year business trajectory to a superlative height.
The board of Dangote Cement Plc has therefore announced the appointment of Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh, an independent non-executive director, as the new Chairman, Board of Directors.

In the same vein, Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote was also appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company while Prof. Dorothy Ufot retired from the Board.
Reputed as Africa’s leading investor, Aliko Dangote leaves giant footprints as he retires from the board.
His vision and tenacity redefined not just a company, but the entire cement industry landscape by becoming Africa’s largest cement producer and largest exporter of cement and clinker in Sub Saharan Africa.
Aliko Dangote’s journey with cement began with a bold dream: to make Nigeria and Africa self-sufficient in cement production.
Through strategic investments in state-of-the-art plants, and a commitment to local content, he not only met that goal but exceeded it.
Dangote Cement Plc has 52.0Mta capacity across African continent with Nigeria accounting for 35.25Mta.
Currently, additional greenfield plants are coming up in Cote Ivoire (3.0Mta) and Itori, Nigeria (6.0 Mta) and on completion this year will push total capacity to 61.0Mta.
Under his visionary leadership, Dangote Cement Plc recorded the highest revenue and Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) in the history of the company.
According to the unaudited results for the six months ending 30th June 2025, the group revenue went up by 17.7 percent, from N1,760 billion at the same period in 2024 to N2,071.6 billion, representing the highest revenue in the history of the company.
Group Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) grew by 41.8 percent to N944.900 billion from N666.22 billion.
EBITDA (Nigeria Operations) grew by 82.4 percent to N845.4 billion. Profit before tax went up from N292.96 billion to N730 billion indicating 149 percent increase while profit after tax surged by 174.1 percent to ₦520.5 billion, in contrast to N189.90 billion in the same period at the preceding period.
In the six months, export volumes from Nigeria increased by 18.2 percent, with 18 successful clinker shipments made to Ghana and Cameroon.
Aliko Dangote’s legacy will be counted in the millions of jobs created, the infrastructure built, and the confidence restored in African industrial potential.
He has proven that Africa can produce, compete, and lead on the global stage. It is on record that subsidiaries under Dangote Group paid over N402 billion in taxes in 2024, making it the highest taxpayer in the country.
The new Chairman of the Board of the Company, Emmauel Ikazoboh in his acceptance speech, said he is truly honored to accept the role of Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc while pledging to uphold the highest standards of leadership and dedication in this role.
He described the company as a beacon of African enterprise, which has consistently demonstrated resilience, innovation, and a commitment to excellence.
Over the years, Dangote Cement Plc has not only become the continent’s leading cement producer but has also played a vital role in driving economic growth and development across numerous African nations.
Giving an insight into what his tenure holds for the company, he said, “my vision for Dangote Cement Plc is built upon a foundation of sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and unwavering commitment to our core values.
We will continue to focus on the following key priorities, Operational Excellence, Strategic Expansion, Sustainability, Innovation and Community Engagement.
Part of the strategies he intends to introduce include driving down costs through the implementation of robust cost-reduction strategies to navigate inflationary pressures and enhance competitiveness.
The company he stated will accelerate efforts to adopt alternative fuels and technologies, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to a more sustainable future.
Regarding staff welfare, he promised that the company will continue to invest in training and development, fostering a culture of excellence and empowering employees to reach their full potential.
Emmanuel Ikazoboh was previously the Group Chairman of Ecobank Transnational Inc., the Pan-African banking group. He started his professional career at Akintola Williams Deloitte.
He first became the Managing Partner for francophone offices in Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire and later became the Managing Partner of the Deloitte firm in West and Central Africa until 2009.
In 2010 he was appointed by the Securities and Exchange (SEC) as an Interim Administrator to carry out capital market reforms of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Central Securities Clearing System Plc. (CSCS).
Business
UK Parliament Honors NASENI CEO for Driving Africa’s Industrial Innovation
In his remarks, Halilu emphasised Africa’s readiness to lead in innovation, manufacturing, and sustainability.“It is a great honour to receive this award alongside fellow visionaries committed to Africa’s future.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Halilu, has been honoured with the prestigious African Achievers Award at the 15th edition of the ceremony held at the historic House of Lords, UK Parliament.
The award, presented during an event that brought together royals, global leaders, policymakers, and innovators, recognised Halilu’s outstanding contributions to advancing Africa’s technological infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, and industrial growth through his leadership at NASENI.
Hosted by Baroness Sandip Verma, Chancellor of the University of Roehampton and a respected member of the House of Lords, the ceremony was a powerful global showcase of African excellence and transformative leadership, a statement by NASENI’s Director of Information, New Media and Protocol, Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, said.
Halilu joined a distinguished group of honourees including public officials, business executives, and philanthropists shaping the future of the continent.
In his remarks, Halilu emphasised Africa’s readiness to lead in innovation, manufacturing, and sustainability.“It is a great honour to receive this award alongside fellow visionaries committed to Africa’s future.
At NASENI, we are bridging the gap between ambition and access, turning ideas into industries, empowering indigenous solutions, and driving forward Nigeria’s and Africa’s industrial transformation. Africa is not just rising, it is ready,” he said.
Under his leadership, NASENI, the statement said, has been repositioned as Nigeria’s leading technology transfer agency, delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu by enabling local production in critical sectors such as clean energy, agriculture, transportation, and digital infrastructure.
-
Politics2 days ago
Nentawe Yiltwada replaces Ganduje as APC Chairman
-
Entertainment3 days ago
Canal+ acquires MultiChoice Group for $3bn
-
News2 days ago
Ododo Moves to Crush Banditry in Olle-Bunu as Army Deploys 12 Brigade Troops
-
International2 days ago
Russian missing plane found in Forest – No Survivors
-
Politics1 day ago
Kayode Adaramodu quits PDP, Joins ADC in Ekiti
-
Business3 days ago
We didn’t shutdown Tummy Tummy noodles factory – NAFDAC
-
Business2 days ago
UK Parliament Honors NASENI CEO for Driving Africa’s Industrial Innovation
-
News1 day ago
NGE Mandates Media Organizations to set up fact-check desks in the newsroom to Fight Fake News