By Dr. Felix Babatunde Ale
Few public figures in Nigeria embody the blend of journalism, activism, technocracy and statesmanship like the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake.
Since assuming office, Alake has demonstrated a visionary approach that has repositioned the sector as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His performance has been widely acknowledged as among the best in the ministry’s history.
Under Alake’s stewardship, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has witnessed unprecedented reforms. He has introduced policies to attract foreign investment, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and ensure transparency in mining operations.
His emphasis on sustainability and community engagement reflects the understanding that solid minerals development must benefit investors and Nigerians alike. In a sector long plagued by inefficiency, his leadership has brought clarity, direction and renewed hope.
Nigeria’s solid minerals sector has attracted $3 billion in investments within three years, spanning lithium, gold and other strategic minerals. This is unprecedented given the long gestation periods typical of mining projects, signaling strong investor confidence in Alake’s reforms.
Alake has championed policies to end the export of raw minerals, insisting on local beneficiation and value addition. His vision is to transform Nigeria from a supplier of raw materials into a hub for industrialization, job creation and technological advancement.
Under the Early-Stage Mineral Exploration and Research Grant Endowment, EMERGE Programme, he launched dedicated funding for geoscience and mineral-processing research. Grants are awarded strictly on merit and administered independently by PricewaterhouseCoopers, PwC, to ensure transparency and accountability.
Alake has been honoured with the African Leadership Public Service Excellence Award for his reforms and elected as Pioneer Chairman of the African Minerals Strategy Group, AMSG, positioning Nigeria at the forefront of continental resource management.
Before politics, Alake distinguished himself as a frontline journalist in Nigeria and Africa. His track record as Editor of Sunday Concord and National Concord newspapers, and his tenure as Vice President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, cemented his reputation as a media icon.
His intellectual depth and mastery of communication were further demonstrated as Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State, where he redefined information management in governance.
Alake’s role in the pro-democracy struggle that culminated in the restoration of democratic governance in Nigeria remains indelible. He stood firm against authoritarianism, lending his voice and intellect to the cause of freedom.
His conferment with a National Honour by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2026 Democracy Day celebration was a well-deserved recognition of his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey and national development.
Dele Alake is a rare personality, a distinguished Nigerian, a pride to journalism in Africa, and a tested technocrat whose silent but impactful achievements continue to shape Nigeria’s destiny. His reforms in solid minerals development are among the most impactful in Nigeria’s history.
As Plato observed, “The measure of a man is what he does with power.” Alake has wielded power not for self-aggrandizement but for the transformation of a critical sector, ensuring Nigeria’s vast mineral wealth becomes a blessing rather than a curse.
