Abuja: The Minister of Environment, Malam Abubakar Lawal, has highlighted the importance of environmentally friendly and sustainable investments in Nigeria’s critical minerals sector. This statement was made during a stakeholders conference on green industrialization held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event was organized by the Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI) in partnership with the National Council on Climate Change and the Ford Foundation. The conference, themed ‘Advancing Nigeria’s Green Industrialisation through Critical Minerals’, gathered stakeholders from various sectors including government, industry, academia, development institutions, and communities.
Represented by Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, Director of Climate at the ministry, Lawal addressed the pivotal moment Nigeria faces in its economic and environmental history. He noted the global demand for critical minerals due to the shift towards clean energy and low-carbon technologies. Lawal emphasized that these minerals a
re now strategic assets for green industrialization, urging Nigeria to leverage its resources for sustainable industrial growth, job creation, and technology development.
Lawal stressed the necessity for Nigeria’s critical minerals agenda to prevent the pattern of exporting raw materials and importing finished products. He advocated for responsible and sustainable investments that align with national development and environmental goals. The minister called for attracting investors committed to providing capital, technology, skills, and high environmental and social standards.
The minister reiterated the need for economic development and environmental protection to progress hand in hand. He mentioned that the ministry is dedicated to guiding the expansion of critical mineral development with robust environmental governance. The Environmental Impact Assessment Act of 2024 was cited as a framework for maintaining environmental standards and ensuring sustainability.
Lawal underscored the role of environmental
and social impact assessments as planning tools to identify risks, avoid impacts, and enhance project designs throughout their lifecycle. He assured continued government efforts to bolster environmental monitoring and enforcement while promoting responsible mining practices and land rehabilitation.
He also highlighted the integration of environmental governance into the critical mineral agenda, spanning exploration, extraction, processing, and beyond. The investment strategy should align with national climate goals and incorporate pollution prevention, resource efficiency, climate mitigation, and social safeguards.
In conclusion, the minister affirmed the ministry’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to foster a critical mineral economy that is environmentally responsible, economically transformative, and socially inclusive. The conference featured panel sessions with expert presentations, furthering the dialogue on Nigeria’s path to green industrialization.