The agreement was signed on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at the Nigeria Mission House in New York, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Nigeria鈥檚 Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau signed the agreement on behalf of the two countries.
The framework provides for cooperation in geological and mineral exploration data, mineral processing, infrastructure development and the training of professionals in the mining sector.
The Nigerian government estimates that the country has mineral resources worth about 700 billion US dollars.
The agreement is also expected to support Nigeria鈥檚 efforts to increase the local processing of minerals, rather than exporting them mainly in their raw form.
Nigeria has particularly highlighted the need to develop its critical minerals sector, including minerals used in batteries, renewable energy technologies and other industrial applications.
For the United States, deeper cooperation with Nigeria provides an opportunity to strengthen access to critical minerals and diversify supply chains.
The two governments are expected to identify specific projects under the framework and work with private-sector investors to develop them.
The agreement therefore represents a further step towards expanding Nigeria-US cooperation in the mining sector and increasing the economic value of Nigeria鈥檚 mineral resources through exploration, processing and investment.
Khadija Ishaq Yusuf
A passionate reporter with an interest in covering stories that affect communities and society. She is committed to gathering accurate information, conducting interviews, and reporting news in a clear, balanced, and responsible manner.
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