The minister of solid minerals development, Dr Dele Alake, on behalf of the ministry has given his endorsement of Solid Minerals Excellence Awards (SOMEA) as part of the deliberate and intentional effort to eradicate the era of ignoring the silent contribution of the solid mining sector to the growth of the economy.
It is a novel idea to spotlight the impact of the sector in economic growth, the minister said.
In a statement at the weekend by Lara Owoeye Wise, Alake’s personal assistant on media titled, ‘Beyond Oil: Nigeria to Honor the Hidden Giants’ Powering the Nation at 2026 Solid Minerals Excellence Awards’, it said the era of the ‘silent contributor’ is over.
“On Thursday, May 14, 2026, Nigeria would officially turn its gaze towards the bedrock of its future economy as SOMEA takes centre stage on May 14, 2026 in Abuja.
“While the world has focused on oil, a different kind of wealth has been quietly building Nigeria’s roads, driving its tech and fueling its skyscrapers. From the lithium powering the global EV revolution to the gold, limestone and rare earth metals beneath our feet, the solid minerals sector is no longer Nigeria’s ‘hidden’ wealth; it is our primary frontier.
“The Oscars of the mining world endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (SOMEA 2026) isn’t just an award ceremony; it is a high-stakes recognition of the titans, innovators and risk-takers who are diversifying Nigeria’s DNA.”
In an official communication to endorse the event, Dr Alake praised the initiative for advancing what he called responsible, safe and sustainable mining practices, while aligning with national priorities to improve transparency, strengthen investor trust and boost Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
The project coordinator, Femi Da-silva, noted that for too long the giants behind the literal foundation of our modern world have worked in the shadows.
“We are bringing the glamour, the prestige, and the national spotlight to the sector that would define the next century of Nigerian prosperity,” he noted.
Under Alake, the mining sector is undergoing a massive turn-around as it has moved from artisanal roots to a global, transparent and high-value powerhouse.
Winners would emerge across high-impact categories like ‘The Titan’ for potential leading mining company of the year, ‘The Green Shield’ involving excellence in sustainable & safe operations and ‘The Visionary’ for outstanding contribution to the growth of the sector.
The event celebrates the formalisation, the safety standards and the massive investments making Nigeria a ‘must-watch’ destination for global mining capital.
This is where SOMEA now stands as the definitive checkpoint for progress.
