By Stella Odueme
Nigeria will on May 14, 2026, shift national attention to its growing solid minerals sector as stakeholders gather for the Solid Minerals Excellence Awards (SOMEA) at the Abuja Continental Hotel in Abuja.
The event, endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, is designed to recognise key players driving the country’s transition from an oil-dependent economy to a more diversified, resource-based industrial future.
Organisers say the awards will highlight the contributions of companies and individuals shaping the sector, long regarded as an underutilised pillar of Nigeria’s economy despite its vast deposits of lithium, gold, limestone and rare earth minerals.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Henry Dele Alake, in a statement supporting the initiative, said the awards align with ongoing reforms aimed at promoting responsible mining practices, improving transparency and strengthening investor confidence.
Project Coordinator of SOMEA, Femi Da-silva, in a statement at the weekend, noted that the platform seeks to bring visibility and recognition to operators whose activities underpin critical infrastructure and industrial development.
According to him, the sector is undergoing significant transformation, moving from largely artisanal operations to a more structured, investment-driven industry with stronger regulatory oversight and safety standards.
The awards will feature categories such as Leading Mining Company of the Year, Excellence in Sustainable and Safe Operations, and Outstanding Contribution to Sector Growth.
The event, themed “Unlocking the Future,” is expected to attract policymakers, investors, members of the diplomatic community and industry leaders.
Industry observers say the initiative reflects Nigeria’s broader push to position solid minerals as a key driver of economic growth in a post-oil era.
