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Alake re-elected African minerals group chairman
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The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has been re-elected Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, a continental forum of African ministers responsible for minerals and mining, committed to coordinated action to maximise value addition and beneficiation from Africa’s mineral resources.
The re-election was confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori.
“The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has been re-elected Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, a continental ministerial forum of African ministers responsible for minerals and mining, committed to coordinated action aimed at maximising value addition and beneficiation from Africa’s vast mineral resources,” the statement partly read.
PUNCH Online reports that Alake was first elected as the pioneer chairman of the AMSG in 2024 on the sidelines of the Future Minerals Forum and retained the position at the group’s 2026 Annual General Meeting held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
As part of institutional reforms, the AGM approved the creation of additional leadership positions, including Vice-Chairman, Deputy Secretary-General and Financial Secretary, with the roles distributed across Africa’s sub-regions to promote inclusion and regional balance.
While the positions of Chairman and Vice-Chairman are elective and reserved for serving ministers, other positions are appointed by member states to which they are zoned.
Under the new structure, Alake continues as Chairman, representing West Africa. The Minister of Mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Louis Watum Kabamba, was elected Vice-Chairman for Central Africa. Uganda retains the position of Secretary-General for East Africa, Mauritania was appointed Deputy Secretary-General for North Africa, while South Africa holds the position of Financial Secretary.
The AGM also ratified a two-year tenure for the executive committee and agreed that zoned positions belong to member countries, such that successors automatically assume the roles when ministers are replaced.
In his acceptance speech, Alake thanked his colleagues for the renewed confidence and called on African nations to deepen collaboration to unlock the continent’s economic potential through solid minerals development.
He urged member states to agree on minimum financial contributions and strengthen the group’s budgeting framework to improve operational efficiency.
“Once member states contribute, accountability will naturally follow. This will enhance transparency and strengthen the credibility of the AMSG before the global community,” he said.
The AGM also resolved to hold quarterly ministerial meetings and established standing committees, including Legal, Institutional Affairs and Human Resources; Sustainability and Responsible Mining; and Finance, Budget and Resource Mobilisation. Members also agreed on steps towards hosting a global minerals conference in Africa, similar to the Future Minerals Forum.
Speaking earlier at a leadership roundtable themed ‘Africa: Unlocking Infrastructure Funding for Copper-Belt Production’, Alake stressed that mineral production alone cannot deliver lasting economic transformation without reliable infrastructure, coordinated policies and deliberate value-addition strategies.
“The real question is not whether Africa has corridors, but whether these corridors are being financed, governed and structured to support industrial growth, regional integration and long-term stability. What matters is how financing is designed to reduce risk, attract private capital and sustain commercial viability while advancing national and regional development objectives,” he said.
Alake cited successful models such as the Lobito Corridor in Angola and highlighted other opportunities, including the Lagos–Abidjan Corridor, the Walvis Bay Corridor, and the Dar es Salaam and Central Corridors. He emphasised the need for aligned rail, port, power and industrial planning to unlock capital at scale.
He also noted that offtake arrangements, harmonised regulatory frameworks and clearly defined industrial clusters are critical to attracting investment along Africa’s mineral corridors.
“The broader vision of the AMSG is to ensure that Africa’s mineral infrastructure is strategically designed, responsibly financed and efficiently managed in a rapidly evolving global environment, not to discourage investment, but to ensure it aligns with long-term stability, transparency and shared economic prosperity,” Alake added.
Formed in 2024, the Africa Minerals Strategy Group serves as a platform for policy coordination, knowledge sharing and joint action among African states to strengthen the mining sector.
It brings together ministers from across the continent to harmonise strategies for industrial development, regional integration and infrastructure investment, as Africa seeks to move beyond raw mineral exports to higher-value processed products.
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By Francesca Hangeior
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has warned of a flash flood risk alert for the first dekad of July (July 1–10).
NiMET warns that widespread rainfall expected during the period could trigger flooding across 27 states as the country enters the peak of the rainy season.
In the advisory, NiMet attributed the heightened risk to the persistent rainfall experienced in June, which it said has left soils across much of the country unable to absorb additional precipitation.
“Following widespread rainfall recorded across many parts of Nigeria in June, soils have become heavily saturated, reducing their ability to absorb additional rainfall.
“As July marks the beginning of the peak rainy season, the risk of flash flooding is expected to increase, particularly in low-lying, urban, coastal, and poorly drained areas,” the Sunday statement read.
According to the agency, states likely to experience flash flooding during the period include “Taraba, Sokoto, Borno, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Adamawa, Kwara, Kogi, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Osun, Ekiti, Delta, Edo, Abia, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers and Bayelsa.”
It warned that the anticipated heavy rainfall could have far-reaching consequences for transportation, public utilities, agriculture, infrastructure and public health.
The weather agency asserted that the heavy rainfall could “trigger localized flooding, resulting in traffic gridlock, road closures and disruptions to transportation.”
The agency also cautioned that “temporary power and telecommunications outages may occur in affected areas, while poor visibility during intense rainfall could pose risks to motorists and aviation operations.”
The forecast further highlighted the potential for waterlogging of farmlands, with possible crop losses, as well as damage to roads, bridges, drainage infrastructure and other public facilities.
Health officials were also urged to remain vigilant over the increased risk of waterborne diseases associated with stagnant floodwaters and poor sanitation.
To minimise the impact of the expected flooding, NiMet urged residents and emergency responders to take preventive measures without delay.
The agency advised Nigerians to: “Follow weather forecasts and flash flood advisories issued by NiMet; keep drains, gutters, and waterways free of refuse to ensure the free flow of water.
“Also, it said it should secure loose outdoor objects and reinforce vulnerable structures; and avoid walking or driving through floodwaters.”
By Francesca Hangeior
The Federal Government has concluded arrangements to evacuate 270 Nigerians from South Africa as part of its ongoing repatriation exercise for citizens willing to return home.
The returnees are expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, in the early hours of Wednesday aboard an Air Peace aircraft deployed for the evacuation.
The latest evacuation follows the Federal Government’s continued efforts, through the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and other relevant agencies, to facilitate the voluntary return of Nigerians facing various challenges in South Africa.
Announcing the schedule for the operation in a statement by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, on Monday, the FG disclosed that the aircraft would depart Lagos on Tuesday afternoon for Johannesburg, before returning with the evacuees overnight.
The statement read, “In continuation of the ongoing evacuation of our nationals from South Africa, the Air Peace aircraft deployed for the process is expected to depart Lagos tomorrow, Tuesday 7 July, 2026, for Johannesburg, South Africa at 3.30 p.m.
“The aircraft will depart Johannesburg for Lagos with 270 returnees at 12.00 midnight, and the estimated time of arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos is 5.00 a.m. on Wednesday, 8 July, 2026, all things being equal.”
It could be recalled that the Federal Government has, over the years, undertaken several evacuation exercises involving Nigerians stranded abroad due to security concerns, economic hardship, immigration issues and humanitarian emergencies.
Air Peace has also played a key role in previous government-assisted evacuation missions, including the repatriation of Nigerians from countries affected by conflicts and other crises.
The latest exercise underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring the safe return of its citizens who have indicated a willingness to come back to Nigeria.
The Federal Government assured Nigerians still residing in South Africa of their safety, even as fresh concerns over xenophobic tensions and renewed anti-immigrant protests continue to trigger calls for stronger diplomatic action.
The assurance came after Nigerians reportedly stormed the country’s embassy in Pretoria as xenophobic tensions escalated, while another batch of 269 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday aboard an Air Peace flight from Johannesburg at 10.48 am, marking the second government-coordinated evacuation exercise in recent weeks.
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