APA crowns Dele Alake African Champion of the Year at mining forum
Nigeria’s Minister of Mines and Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake, has been conferred with the African Champion of the Year Award by the African Professionals of Australia (APA).
The recognition was announced at the Australia-Africa Diaspora Investment Forum and the Africa Down Under (ADU) Mining Conference, which took place on Thursday, September 5, at the Pan Pacific Perth. The gathering brought together African leaders, diplomats, and professionals to deliberate on strategies for sustainable development and investments in critical sectors across the continent.
Delivering a keynote address through his representative, Mr. Martins Imonite, MD/CEO of the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company, Dr. Alake highlighted Nigeria’s vast mineral wealth and renewed government efforts to attract foreign investment into the sector.
“Nigeria, as we all know, is the economic hub of West Africa and has the young population needed to drive the emerging mining economy. In the last two years, the government has enacted many policies that make foreign direct investment easy,” he said.
Alake noted that the establishment of the Nigeria Solid Mineral Company by President Bola Tinubu was designed to replicate the successes achieved in the oil and gas sector, with the aim of unlocking the full potential of the country’s more than 40 identified mineral resources.
Presenting the award, APA Western Australia President, Dr. Toyosi Craig, commended Alake for his commitment to promoting technology and skill transfer between Africa and Australia, describing him as a key figure in advancing cross-continental cooperation in mining and solid minerals development.
The event was attended by prominent dignitaries including Nigeria’s Ambassador to Australia, Dr. Jane Adams; Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Australia, Mr. Anwar Muktar; Prof. Omoniyi Ige, Director General of the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency; and Prof. S.B. Hassan, Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences.
Founded to empower African professionals in Australia, the APA provides leadership training, mentorship, and workplace experience programs to hundreds of members annually.
