This policy brief explores the intersection of the global energy transition and the future of Nigeria’s solid mineral sector. As the world shifts away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy, Nigeria faces the dual challenge of modernizing its underperforming mining industry while capitalizing on the growing demand for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel—essential components for clean energy technologies.

The document provides a concise yet comprehensive analysis of the sector’s current state, highlighting deep-rooted issues such as poor infrastructure, limited technical capacity, corruption, and weak policy implementation. Despite these obstacles, the brief identifies substantial opportunities in repositioning Nigeria as a major player in the global mineral value chain if the sector is effectively reformed.

Policy recommendations focus on creating robust mineral value chains, investing in renewable energy integration, improving transport and energy infrastructure, building local mining and processing capacity, and embedding sustainable practices in the sector. It calls for a long-term, strategic approach that balances economic growth, poverty reduction, and environmental responsibility in the context of global decarbonization efforts.

Timely and forward-looking, this brief is an essential guide for policymakers, investors, and development actors seeking to align Nigeria’s extractive policies with the imperatives of a sustainable energy future.