Conference
On behalf of the Organizing Committee of the Annual Africa Commodities Conference and Exhibition ACCE 2025, we welcome stakeholders, multinational corporations, foreign and indigenous operators, contractors and service providers, artisanal miners, small and medium scale miners, multinational, multilateral and bilateral institutions, brokers and exchanges, financiers including the government interventionist funding agencies, community leaders etc to subscribe for the ACCE 2025. The event is one of it's kind where the beauty and wealth of Nigeria in mineral commodities will be displayed. The event presents a rare opportunity for multinational operators, brokers and exchanges, contractors, service providers in the mining industry to interface with the local players to explore for investment opportunities, partnerships and collaborations. The event expands from the mining to energy enhancing knowledge on the various minerals that are so needed in the energy transition moving from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources.
Nigeria's minerals industry has not been scratched, it's still in it's virgin and crude stage waiting for investment opportunities and exploitation.
The conference and exhibition seek to explore on a number of challenges which includes the host communities, impacted areas and their wanting to be part of the beneficiaries of the resources derived from their land, this will yield the fruit of peaceful coexistence of the miners and the local communities.
Others are the sensitisation and the organization of the illegal miners, artisanal miners, small and medium scale miners to pool their strength, expertise and resources together to maximize opportunities.
The event will also do a review of the various funding opportunities available to indigenous, small and medium scale and artisanal miners both at the international and national levels.
ACCE 2025 will therefore be welcoming investors, foreign operators, brokers and exchanges, suppliers, governments interventionist funding agencies to come and interface with our local operators for investment opportunities, partnerships and collaborations.
Conference Programme
Topics: Speakers and Breakout Sessions
will include but not restricted to:
Day 1.
Monday 7th of April, 2025
1st Morning Session Opening Ceremony
07.30-08.45: Registration of Participants
09:00 - 09:10: Welcome Address by Lead Partner for the Conference
As a funding vehicle, SMDF’s key role will be to maximize recovery of mining investments to drive sector growth. Under the current leadership of Hajiya Fatima, over US$500-600m of projects have been identified that SMDF could drive across formalization, data development, production and processing in the next 5 years. Hajiya Fatima has acquired extensive knowledge of the Nigerian mining sector and championed the restructuring of the Fund with the target of providing access to capital and fast-tracking development of the mining sector. Most recently in February 2023 SMDF partnered with the African Finance Corporation (AFC) to deploy project development funding and technical advisory worth $700 Billion, to fast-track closure and operations of commercial scale mining projects in Nigeria. AFC and SMDF will combine funds with innovative investment tools to co-develop mining projects to mitigate risks that would otherwise have prevented financing to drive bankability.
09.10-09.40: Key Note Address by the Honorable Minister of Solid Minerals Development
Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Nigeria, a Writer, Author and a seasoned Media Professional, Mr. Oladele Alake. He was the Honourable Commissioner for Information & Strategy in Lagos, Nigeria’s most industrial and cosmopolitan state between 1999 and 2007.In that capacity, he was involved in formulating the strategic and tactical initiatives which made the administration of Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, then the Governor of Lagos State to record outstanding achievements. These marked its record of excellence in industry, finance, education, health, employment and community development. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and a Master’s in Mass Communications from the prestigious University of Lagos, Nigeria.
A statesman par excellence gifted with the Midas touch to transform organizations and systems, Alake has been instrumental to the establishment and development of many media organizations, including Lagos Television, The Nation Newspaper, Television Continental (TVC), Max FM station, Adaba FM, and National Life. Widely travelled and acknowledged as an influential and prodigious political communications guru, Alake rose to the pinnacle of his career as a journalist at the Concord Press of Nigeria, where he was the Editor of Sunday Concord and National Concord newspapers at various times. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and a former Vice President of the Guild. Until he was appointed the Honourable Minister, he was the Special Adviser on Strategy, Communications & Special Duties to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Chief. Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR
09.40 -10.15: Official Opening of the Conference by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Your Excellency Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and President Federal Republic of Nigeria.
10.20-10.50: Synoptic Review of Nigeria's Mining Policy and Regulatory Framework in Implementation, Honorable Minister of Solid Minerals, His Excellency, Hon. Henry Dele Alake
Honorable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Nigeria, a Writer, Author and a seasoned Media Professional, Mr. Oladele Alake. He was the Honourable Commissioner for Information & Strategy in Lagos, Nigeria’s most industrial and cosmopolitan state between 1999 and 2007.In that capacity, he was involved in formulating the strategic and tactical initiatives which made the administration of Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, then the Governor of Lagos State to record outstanding achievements. These marked its record of excellence in industry, finance, education, health, employment and community development. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and a Master’s in Mass Communications from the prestigious University of Lagos, Nigeria.
A statesman par excellence gifted with the Midas touch to transform organizations and systems, Alake has been instrumental to the establishment and development of many media organizations, including Lagos Television, The Nation Newspaper, Television Continental (TVC), Max FM station, Adaba FM, and National Life. Widely travelled and acknowledged as an influential and prodigious political communications guru, Alake rose to the pinnacle of his career as a journalist at the Concord Press of Nigeria, where he was the Editor of Sunday Concord and National Concord newspapers at various times. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and a former Vice President of the Guild. Until he was appointed the Honourable Minister, he was the Special Adviser on Strategy, Communications & Special Duties to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
10.50-11.35 The Role of Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment of the Nigeria's Mineral Commodities by Hon. Dr. Doris Azuka, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment
Establishment of the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) to promote Equity Investment with A View to Creating Jobs and Gas Related Industries to Empower Nigeria's Economic Growth, Honorable Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Her Excellency, Hon. Ekperikpe EkpoRt. Hon. Ekperikpe is the Honourable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas) in Nigeria. A mandate given to him by President Bola Tinubu (GCFR) on the 21st of August 2023. Before assuming his Ministerial role, Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo distinguished himself through dedicated service first as Chairman, Ika Local Government Area (LGA) in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, and then as a member of the House of Representatives, representing the Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika federal constituency in the National Assembly from 2007 to 2011. During his tenure, he was secretary of the Akwa Ibom Legislative Caucus and the Chairman of the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Legislators Forum. He also served as Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Industry, while contributing to pivotal committees such as Customs Service, National Security and Intelligence, Power and the Niger Delta Affairs. He holds a B.Sc in Biology (Ecology) and a Master's degree in Environmental Pollution and Toxicology from the same institution.
11.35 - 12.00: Coffee/Tea Break
12.30- 01:00 Panel Discussion
12.00-12.30: The Role of Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) in Providing Financial Support and Incentives to Promote Activities in the Mining Industry by Hajia Fatima Umaru Shinkafi, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF)
SOLID MINERALS DEVELOPMENT FUND
Hajiya. Fatima Umaru Shinkafi is the current Chief Executive of the Solid Minerals Development Fund. The Solid Minerals Development Fund is a government-owned Fund established to drive investments in Nigeria’s mining sector.As a funding vehicle, SMDF’s key role will be to maximize recovery of mining investments to drive sector growth. Under the current leadership of Hajiya Fatima, over US$500-600m of projects have been identified that SMDF could drive across formalization, data development, production and processing in the next 5 years. Hajiya Fatima has acquired extensive knowledge of the Nigerian mining sector and championed the restructuring of the Fund with the target of providing access to capital and fast-tracking development of the mining sector. Most recently in February 2023 SMDF partnered with the African Finance Corporation (AFC) to deploy project development funding and technical advisory worth $700 Billion, to fast-track closure and operations of commercial scale mining projects in Nigeria. AFC and SMDF will combine funds with innovative investment tools to co-develop mining projects to mitigate risks that would otherwise have prevented financing to drive bankability.
12.30- 01:00 Panel Discussion
01.00-01.30: - The Role of the Bank of Industry (BOI) in Administering the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCIS) to Indigenous Operators, Contractors and Service Providers to Support their Projects in the Oil and Gas Industry by Dr. Olasupe Olusu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Bank of Industry (BOI)
Dr Olasupo Olusi to serve as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry for a term of four years in the first instance. Olusi’s appointment follows the voluntary resignation of the immediate past BoI MD/CEO, Olukayode Pitan.For many who do not know, beyond Olasupo’s educational and professional qualifications which makes him well able to head BoI, he is the son of Professor S. O. Olusi, a former dean, college of health sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State. His mother, Professor Janet Omolara Olusi, is also an academician. She equally retired from OAU as a professor of economics.An alumnus of Hull University, United Kingdom with a Master’s degree in International Money, Finance and Investment, with a doctorate in Finance and Economics from Durham University, United Kingdom, Olasupo has served as a World Bank economist and development finance expert over the past 20 years. Between 2011 and 2015, he served as the Economic Adviser to the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance.
02.00-02:30: Panel Discussion
01:30 - 02.00: The Intervention of Commercial Banks in Nigeria Mining Industry by Sir Tony Elumelu, The Chairman United Bank for Africa (UBA)
Chairman UBA Elumelu worked in the Nigerian Bank Union Bank as a Youth Corp member during his National Youth Service Corps in 1985, before starting his career as a salesman. Elumelu subsequently joined Allstates Trust Bank in 2005 and United Bank for Africa (UBA) was acquired afterwards. In 1997, Elumelu led a small group of investors to take over a struggling Crystal Bank (later renamed Standard Trust Bank). He turned it profitable within a few years and in 2005, he led one of the largest mergers in the banking sector in Sub-Saharan Africa by acquiring United Bank for Africa (UBA). Following the merger of Standard Trust Bank and United Bank for Africa in 2005, Elumelu led the company as Group Managing Director from a single-country banking group to a pan-African bank with subsidiaries in 20 African countries, France, the U.S and the U.K, eventually stepping down in 2010.
Elumelu currently chairs the board of the United Bank for Africa.Heirs Holdings
In 2010, he founded Heirs Holdings, his family-owned investment holding company. Elumelu also established in the same year the Tony Elumelu Foundation, an Africa-based foundation championing entrepreneurship in Africa. Heirs Holdings maintains a portfolio of investments across several sectors. Through Heirs Holdings, Elumelu holds a controlling interest in Transnational Corporation, a diversified conglomerate with business interests in Power, Hospitality and Energy.
Transcorp Plc
On April 14, 2021, Elumelu was officially handed the Certificate of Discharge of the iconic hospitality facility. The National Council on Privatization (NCP), which is chaired by the former Vice President of Nigeria Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, handed over full ownership of Transcorp Hotels to the Chairman after fulfilling all privatization conditions attached to the sale of the property in 2005.
Elumelu speaks in 2022
The Tony Elumelu Foundation
Main article: The Tony Elumelu Foundation
Following his retirement from United Bank for Africa in 2010, Elumelu founded The Tony Elumelu Foundation. The Tony Elumelu Foundation promotes entrepreneurship in Africa. The Tony Elumelu Foundation’s belief that the private sector’s role is critical for Africa’s development is hinged on the economic philosophy of Africapitalism, which was introduced by Elumelu; "that the African private sector has the power to transform the continent through long-term investments, creating both economic prosperity and social wealth.
In 2015, Elumelu committed $100 million to create 10,000 entrepreneurs across Africa over the next 10 years through the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme - a Pan-African entrepreneurship initiative designed to empower African entrepreneurs through a multi-year programme of training, funding, and mentoring.
02.00-02.30 Panel Discussion
02.30-03.00 Launch Break
03.00-03.30: The Funding Interventionist Programs of the Central Bank of Nigeria in the Mining Industry by the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) His Excellency Michael Olayemi Cardoso Governor Central Bank of (Nigeria (CBN).
Olayemi Michael "Yemi" Cardoso is the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.[2] He previously served as the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget of the Lagos State Government where he contributed to the transformation of Lagos State and its growth into Nigeria’s thriving business hub, and Africa’s megacity [3]. His private sector career spanned banking, stockbroking, consulting, and an appointment as the Chair of the Board of Citibank Nigeria where he oversaw business expansion, corporate governance, and financial growth.[4] He also served as a member of the Cities Alliance’s Africa Think Thank Group;[5] board member of MRS Oil;[6] Chairman, board of EFInA;[7] member, advisory board of Lagos Business School; and Chairman, board of the African Venture Philanthropy Alliance. He was also an Executive Lead at Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association and the founding chairman and co-chair of Ehingbeti Summit, a Lagos State Economic Think Thank.
03.30-04.00: The Funding Interventionist Programs by the Bilateral and Multilateral Organizations to Promote Activities in the Solid Minerals Industry by Dr. Akinwumi A.Adesina The President/CEO African Development Bank (ADB)
Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina is the 8th elected President of the African Development Bank Group. Dr Adesina is a globally renowned development economist and agricultural development expert, with more than 30 years of international experience. A bold reformer, as Minister of Agriculture in Nigeria from 2011-2015, Dr Adesina turned the agriculture sector of Nigeria around within four years. Under his tenure, Nigeria ended 40 years of corruption in the fertiliser sector.A firm believer in private sector-led growth, Dr. Adesina radically changed the perception of agriculture in Nigeria from that of subsistence to a viable business that successfully attracted $5.6 billion in private sector investments. Prior to his appointment as Minister of Agriculture, Dr Adesina was the Vice President (Policy and Partnerships) of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).Dr Adesina was Principal Economist for the West Africa Rice Development Association (1990-1995), Senior Economist and Social Science Coordinator for the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (1995-1998) and Assistant Principal Economist of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (1988-1990).A prolific writer, Dr Adesina has authored over 70 scholarly publications on policy, agricultural development and African development issues. He has served as the President of the African Association of Agricultural Economists, as well as on the Editorial Board of several academic journals, including the International Journal of Agricultural Economists.
04.00-4.30: Sir. Samaila Zubairu, President/Chief Executive Officer Africa Finance Corporation (AFC)
Samaila Zubairu President & Chief Executive Officer
A champion for African value capture, job creation and industrialization, Mr. Zubairu has corralled billions of dollars into transformative infrastructure over three decades of leadership. In his five years as President & CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation, Africa’s leading infrastructure solutions provider has almost tripled investments to $11.5 billion—including the biggest renewable energy acquisition on the continent— and doubled membership to 40 African nations, winning AFC the accolade of DFI of the Year for Europe and Africa at the recent IJGlobal Awards. As the pioneer CFO for Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Zubairu launched Africa’s largest syndicated project finance facility for a local corporation and managed the watershed unbundling of Dangote Industries Limited to listed subsidiaries on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Most recently, as CEO of Africapital Management Limited, Mr. Zubairu partnered with Old Mutual’s African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) to develop the Nigerian Infrastructure Investment Fund to drive private equity investment into infrastructure projects across West Africa.
04.00-05.00: Framework for the Establishment and Financing of the Host Community Trust Fund, Utilization, Tax Implication and Deductions by Managing Director, Chevron Nigeria and West Africa
05.30-6.00: Panel Discussion
06:00-06.30: Synoptic Proceedings of the Conference
06:30-07.00: Close/End of Day One of Conference
Day 2
Tuesday 8th of April, 2025 First Morning Session Setting of Scene.
07.30-07.45: Registration of Participants
07.45-08.15: Welcome Address by the Lead Partner
08.45-09.15: The Impact of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Promoting Domiciliation and Domestication of In Country Activities by Sir Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Secretary(NCDMB)
09.15-09.45: Indigenous Experience in Accessing the Various Government Intervention Funding Opportunities in the Minerals Mining Industry by Sir Segun Lawson, CEO Segilola Gold Mine
09.45-10.30: Coffee/Tea break
10.30-11.30: Indigenous Experience in Accessing the Various Government Intervention Funding Opportunities both in the Oil and Gas and Solid Minerals Industry. Alhaji Aliko Dangote
Founder of Dangote Cement, a leading indigenous mining operator in the Solid Minerals Industry. Aliko Dangote GCON is a Nigerian businessman and industrialist. He is best known as the founder, chairman, and CEO of the Dangote Group, the largest industrial conglomerate in West Africa. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index estimated his net worth at $16.1 billion in November 2023, making him the richest person in Africa, the world's richest black person, and the world's 107th richest person overall.
11.30-12.00 Panel Discussion
12.00-12.30: Procedural Guidelines For the Acquisition of Mining Prospecting License and Leases in the Mining Industry by Sir Obadiah Simon Nkom, Director General, Mining Cadastre Office (MCO)
12.30-01.00 The Role of the Ministry of Solid Minerals in Promoting Investments and Minerals Commodities Trade by Dr. Mrs. Ester Udo, Head Investment Promotion and Mineral Trade, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development
01.00-01.30 The Effects of Mining Licensing Institutions to Investors by Prince Mathew Onwukwe PhD
01.30-02.00 Challenges Faced by Indigenous Operators, Small Time and Artisanal Miners in their Efforts to Trade and Export Mineral Commodities by Nonye Ayeni, Executive Secretary/CEO Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC)
02.00- 02.30 Considerations for Organized Host Community, Illegal Miners, Local Government Areas, States Owned Cooperatives/Companies by Government and or Investors by Michael Akueche, CEO Mica Equity Allocation Limited
02.30-03.00 Panel Discussion
03.00-03.30 Lunch Break
03.30-04.00 Regulatory Changes and Policy Reforms Planned to Streamline Regulations, Improve Fiscal Relations and Create Conducive Investment Environment by Dr. Mary Ogbe, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development
04.30-05.00 The Role of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development in Carrying Out Oversight Functions on the Activities of the Solid Minerals Industry by the Chairman Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Dist. Senator Ekong Sampson
05.00-05.30 Engagements of Public Private Partnerships for the Accomplishment of Business Targets and Objectives of Government by Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, PhD, Executive Secretary/CEO Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Abuja
05.3o-06.00: Panel Discussion
06:00-06.30 Close of Conference Day 2
Day 3: Wednesday 9th of April, 2025 1st Morning Session: Setting of Scene
07.30-08-45: Registration of Participants
08.45-09.15: Welcome Address by a Lead Partner
The Role of the State Governments in Providing Support and Incentives to Assist Local and Artisanal Miners Operating in Organized Corporate and Regulated Environment
08.45-09.15: The Director General/CEO Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso
His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori
09.15-09.45: The Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori
09.45-10.30: Coffee/Tea Break
His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-olu
10.30-11.00: Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-olu
His Excellency Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule
11.00-11.30: Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, His Excellency Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule
His Excellency Hope Uzodinma
11.30-12.00: Executive Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Hope Uzodinma
12.00-12.30: Executive Governor of Borno State, His Excellency Babagana Umara Zulum CON
His Excellency Agbu Kefas
12.30-01.00: Executive Governor of Taraba State, His Excellency Agbu Kefas
01.00-01.30: Panel Discussion
01.30-02.00: Lunch Break
02.00-02.30: Deliberate Investments that Will Culminate in the Solid Minerals Mining, Processing and Trade of Value Added Products to Enhance Economic Diversification, Job Creation and Employment.
His Excellency Pastor Umo Bassey Eno
02.30-03.00: Executive Governor of Akwa Ubom State, His Excellency Pastor Umo Bassey Eno
His Excellency Peter Mbah
03.00-03.30: Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Peter Mbah
His Excellency Uba Sani
03.30-04.00: Executive Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency Uba Sani
His Excellency Adedapo Abiodun MFR
04.00-04.30: Executive Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency Adedapo Abiodun MFR
His Excellency, Ahmed Usman Ododo
04.30-05.00: Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Ahmed Usman Ododo
His Excellency Abba Kabir Yusuf
05.00-05.30: Executive Governor of Kano State, His Excellency Abba Kabir Yusuf