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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.

Published

2 years ago

January 11, 2025

OCHEFA

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” 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.

Related Topics:Featured Mining sector's budget Solid Minerals Development

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Dangote at IPO Listing, Charges Public,”I don’t want to be called richest man in Africa”

“I don’t want anybody again to call me the richest man in Africa. I want to be called the wealthiest man in Africa so that I can create wealth for others,” he said.

Published

6 hours ago

September 14, 2026

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The trading floor of the Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX) is agog this morning as billionaire industrialist,Aliko Dangote, declared opened trading activities for the day.

“I don’t want anybody again to call me the richest man in Africa. I want to be called the wealthiest man in Africa so that I can create wealth for others,” he said.

Dangote made the remarks on Monday while sounding the gong at the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) in Lagos to formally launch the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals.

The billionaire businessman said the IPO provided an opportunity for investors to participate in what he described as a transformational phase for Nigeria and Africa’s economies.

“Today, we are not merely offering shares. We are offering an opportunity to participate in the transformational chapter of not only Nigeria’s economy, but Africa’s economy,” Dangote said.

He urged Nigerians to deepen the capital market and promote wider ownership of wealth.

“Together, let us deepen our capital market. Together, let us create prosperity through ownership. Together, let us build a stronger Nigeria. Together, let us ensure prosperity for Africa,” he said.

Business

Naira Exchange Rates To Dollar, Pound , Euro… September 14

Published

7 hours ago

September 14, 2026

OCHEFA

17 Views

BLACK MARKET

US DOLLAR ₦1385

POUND (GBP) ₦1880

EURO (EUR) ₦1580

CANADIAN DOLLAR (CAD) ₦1000

SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦90

UAE DIRHAM (AED) ₦370

CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦190

GHANA CEDI (GHS) ₦100

Central Bank of Nigeria Rates

DOLLAR (USD)₦1326.52

POUND (GBP)₦1794.52

EURO (EUR)₦1540.22

SWISS FRANC (CHF)₦1627.83

JAPANESE YEN (JPN)₦8.64

CFA FRANC (XOF)₦2.34

WEST AFRICAN UNIT OF ACCOUNT (WAUA)₦1811.58

CHINESE YUAN (CNY)₦197.74

SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦353.20

SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦82.24

Business

Dangote Refinery’s IPO Officially Opens Today On NGX

Published

8 hours ago

September 14, 2026

OCHEFA

16 Views

Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE today announced the commencement of its Initial Public Offering (IPO) to the investing public.

The offer will be formally launched at a ceremony on the trading floor of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited in Lagos.

The IPO, which opens today, September 14, 2026, consists of 4.1 billion new ordinary shares offered at N525 per share, with a minimum subscription of 10 shares valued at N5,250.

The offer is expected to remain open until October 13, 2026, subject to the terms outlined in the Prospectus. The transaction is targeted at retail, institutional, and eligible African investors, reinforcing Dangote Refinery’s commitment to broadening ownership and deepening participation in Nigeria’s capital market.

The public offer is expected to raise approximately N2.15 trillion, making it one of the largest equity offerings ever undertaken in Africa.

The proceeds will support the Refinery’s long-term growth plans, operational expansion, strategic investments, and the creation of additional value for shareholders and stakeholders alike.

Speaking on the significance of the IPO, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, said:“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Dangote Refinery and, indeed, in the economic future of our nation. This offering is about more than raising capital; it is about creating an opportunity for ordinary Nigerians, Africans, and investors across the globe to participate directly in one of the most transformative industrial projects ever built on the continent.

We established this refinery to transform Africa’s energy landscape, create jobs, conserve foreign exchange, and unlock shared prosperity. With this IPO, we are extending that vision by democratising ownership and ensuring that millions of people can benefit from the value being created.”