Nigeria is partnering with Australia to address the skills deficit in the mining sector. This announcement was made by Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, through a statement from his media assistant, Segun Tomori, on Sunday in Abuja.
One of the notable outcomes of this partnership is the recent launch of a two-week pilot training programme at Murdoch University in Australia for the first cohort of 11 Nigerian mining professionals. Alake indicated that this initiative, supported by the Commonwealth Government, aims to bridge skill gaps in the mining industry while fostering closer ties between Nigeria and Australia.
He remarked that this programme realises a vision conceived less than two years ago and covers an array of subjects, including extractive metallurgy, sustainable geochemistry, and mineral science research. Participants will also undertake field trips and engage with industry experts to explore mining trends, investment opportunities, and sustainability issues.
The minister acknowledged the support of President Bola Tinubu and the contributions of the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Leilani Bin-Juda, in bringing this vision to fruition. He also expressed his gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and faculty of Murdoch University for their warm reception. “Forming a working relationship with a leading mining country like Australia is critical to fortifying our bilateral ties and promoting mutually beneficial development in our mining sectors,” he stated.
Alake urged the participants to be exemplary ambassadors for Nigeria, utilising their training to enhance the nation’s technical capabilities and contribute to informed policy design and implementation. During the 2023 Africa Down Under (ADU) Conference in Perth, he signed a bilateral agreement with the Government of Western Australia, facilitated by the Australian Ministry of Mines and Petroleum and Murdoch University, to advance the expertise of Nigerian mining professionals.
