The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has officially launched a capacity enhancement programme for the first batch of Nigerian mining professionals at Murdoch University, Australia.

The initiative is a key outcome of the Nigeria–Australia collaboration with the support of the Commonwealth Government , aimed at addressing skill gaps in the mining sector and deepening bilateral ties between Nigeria and Australia.

It will be recalled that during the 2023 Africa Down Under (ADU) Conference in Perth, Australia, Dr. Alake entered into a bilateral agreement with the Government of Western Australia—through the Australian Ministry of Mines and Petroleum—and Murdoch University to facilitate technical training designed to strengthen the expertise of Nigerian mining professionals.

This collaboration, with strong support from the Australian High Commission in Nigeria, has now culminated in the commencement of a two-week pilot training programme involving eleven Nigerian participants at Murdoch University. The training covers a wide range of subjects, including extractive metallurgy, sustainable geochemistry, and mineral science research. Participants will also embark on field trips and engage directly with industry experts to explore mining trends, investment opportunities, and sustainability challenges.

In his remarks at the launch, Dr. Alake noted that the programme represents the realization of a vision conceived less than two years ago.

He said, “I must not fail to acknowledge the encouragement and support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu , and the efforts of the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, H.E. Leilani Bin-Juda, who has been a pillar of support throughout this process—constantly engaging, traveling back and forth and ensuring this vision comes to life. I also express profound gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and faculty of Murdoch University for opening their facilities to us so warmly. Establishing a working relationship with a leading mining nation like Australia is crucial to strengthening bilateral ties and fostering mutually beneficial development in our mining sectors”.

The Minister also charged the participants to be worthy ambassadors of Nigeria and to leverage the training to enhance the country’s technical capabilities and contribute to evidence-based policy design and implementation.

“Let this moment mark the beginning of a transformative journey—not just for those attending this course, but for the millions of Nigerians who stand to benefit from a better-governed, more inclusive, and more productive minerals sector,” he added.

Welcoming the Nigerian delegation, Vice-Chancellor of Murdoch University, Professor Andrew Deeks, highlighted the importance of capacity building in the global resources sector. He emphasized that the exchange programme aligns with the university’s mission to promote ethical, sustainable, and inclusive engagement across continents through impactful education and research.

According to him, “The support of the Commonwealth Government underscores the importance of our nations coming together to share knowledge for the mutual benefit of our societies.”

The Western Australian Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Hon. David Michael also welcomed the Nigerian delegation and expressed strong support for the collaborative approach to resource development. During the course, the Australian Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety will host the participants as part of a structured capacity-building engagement.

Segun Tomori, FSCA

Special Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development

8th June, 2024

A fire broke out at the Imaratus Sanan Hotel in Mecca, where more than 480 Nigerian pilgrims, partaking in the 2025 Hajj under private tour companies, were staying.

The hotel is situated in the Sharamansur district of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

The blaze, which affected parts of the hotel on Saturday, resulted in major damage, though there were no injuries or fatalities.

The Nigerian pilgrims were away from the hotel at the time, as they had already left for Mina to observe the symbolic stoning ritual, which is an essential part of the Hajj pilgrimage.

In a statement from its spokesperson, Fatima Usara, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) confirmed the incident and appreciated the quick actions of the Saudi fire service and the hotel personnel, which helped stop the fire from spreading and ensured the safety of all guests.

NAHCON Chairman Abdullahi Usman immediately went to the scene to inspect the extent of the fire’s impact.

Disturbed by the level of destruction, Mr Usman met with the affected pilgrims to console them and commended the rapid response from local authorities.

“Our priority is the safety and comfort of our pilgrims,” he said. “We have arranged immediate relocation to alternative accommodations and will provide every support within our capacity to minimise their distress.”

Mr Usman also praised the Saudi fire fighters and the hotel team for acting swiftly in managing the situation.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) wishes to inform the public about a fire incident that took place on Saturday, 7th June 2025, at around 12:00 noon (KSA time), at one of the hotels hosting Nigerian pilgrims on Shari Mansur Street in Makkah.

The hotel involved, Imaratus Sanan, was accommodating approximately 484 pilgrims from six different Nigerian private tour companies. Fortunately, there were no casualties, as all the pilgrims were in Mina at the time. Saudi emergency teams and the hotel staff acted swiftly, preventing the fire from engulfing the entire building.

Shortly after the incident, the Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, along with Commissioner for Policy Personnel Management and Finance, Alhaji Aliu Abdulrazak, and Deputy Makkah Coordinator, Director Alidu Shutti, visited the hotel to assess the damage and oversee arrangements for the pilgrims’ safety.

During the visit, Professor Abdullahi instructed that the affected pilgrims be relocated immediately to a new facility. He sympathised with those impacted and assured them that the Commission would do all it could to reduce the impact of the incident on them.

The Chairman expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah that no one was harmed, and said that NAHCON would work closely with the affected tour operators to arrange a smooth transition to new accommodations and offer the necessary assistance. He and his delegation had already reviewed the new location and finalized resettlement plans.

The Chairman and the Commissioner appreciated the Saudi emergency response team and the hotel staff for their coordinated efforts in containing the fire.

Nigeria experienced a 304 percent increase in cocoa exports during the first quarter of 2024, driven by a surge in demand and the weakening of the naira, based on figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Cocoa exports from the country made up 42.4 percent of the N1.04 trillion total agricultural exports for the quarter, climbing significantly to N438.7 billion in Q1 2024, compared to N108.6 billion during the same period in 2023.

Cocoa prices jumped by more than 567 percent in the first quarter of 2024, exceeding N12 million per metric ton for the first time domestically. This was caused by a major supply shortfall from Ivory Coast and Ghana, two key producers, disrupting the global market.

The price boom encouraged Nigerian cocoa farmers to revive old plantations and plant improved seedlings, replacing aging trees and expanding their farms.

“You can imagine the efforts and the returns that are coming from the export of cocoa,” said Adeola Adegoke, national president of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, (in a chat with BusinessDay).

“It shows that if governments and all of us at the private sector can remain focused in terms of increasing and decentralising the production of cocoa, Nigeria could be producing about 500,000 to 600,000 metric tons,” he added.

He said the revenue from cocoa exports in the first quarter highlights the vast potential of cocoa production in Nigeria. He believes this potential could be fully harnessed with the right level of attention and investment, helping to increase national earnings.

Despite the jump in export earnings, Mufutua Abolarinwa, national president of the Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), pointed out that output levels have not changed.

Abolarinwa noted that the increase in export income doesn’t match the actual production volume.

“The reason for this high revenue from cocoa export is because of the dollar exchange rate,” he said. “Production did not necessarily increase from its current 280,000 metric tons.”

According to the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO), Nigeria ranks as the fourth-largest cocoa producer globally with 280,000 metric tonnes produced during the 2022–2023 season, following Ivory Coast, Indonesia, and Ghana. It also stands as the third-largest exporter after Ivory Coast and Ghana.

During the first half of the year, cocoa prices reached record highs of $12,000 per tonne in April 2024, according to ICCO data.

On the local scene, cocoa bean prices have also spiked due to the weaker naira. Farmers have reported better profits during this price surge, with many returning to their farms to take advantage of the favorable market.

Sayina Riman, a cocoa grower from Ikom in Cross River State, told BusinessDay that he dedicated more time to his farm this year than in previous years.

“I paid more attention to my cocoa farm this year than before. I pruned the undergrowth and applied liquid fertiliser, which is something I have never done,” Riman said.

He said his income grew by 200 percent, although a large portion of it was spent on labor costs.

Oba Dokun Thompson, the Oloni of Eti-Oni and chairman of the Eti-Oni Development Group, who also produces Gureje IV chocolate bars, emphasized the need to focus on value addition in cocoa, beyond just the financial returns.

He said that the ongoing price rally is not sustainable, as more cocoa-producing regions are increasing their capacity, which could result in a drop in prices within the next two years.

Thompson encouraged farmers to keep up the momentum Nigeria has seen so far in 2024 and emphasized the importance of developing the cocoa industry as a value-added sector.

“Government needs to support innovation and creative ideas, new ideas and new ways to ensure that there is a clear understanding of the cocoa industry,” he said.

The chocolate maker added that in order for Nigeria to establish a strong cocoa culture in West Africa and across the continent, government support for the sector is crucial.