⬆️Mr Abidoye Abiosun, Director of Marketing at The Miners and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Nigeria Mining Tax Summit(standing), speaking during a courtesy visit to the SMDF Head Office in Abuja.
The Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) has pledged to strengthen its relationship with The Miners Magazine, following a courtesy visit by the publication’s delegation to seek institutional support and strategic sponsorship for the forthcoming Nigeria Mining Tax Summit.
The Fund also expressed its readiness to explore areas of collaboration with the mining-focused publication, particularly in promoting awareness of investment opportunities, disseminating information on developments in the solid minerals sector and showcasing initiatives aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s vast mineral resources.
The Executive Secretary of SMDF, Hajia Fatima Umaru Shinkafi, was represented during the visit by the Acting Director, Dr Martina Ananaba. Other officials of the Fund at the meeting included the Human Resources Director, Dr Bamaiyi Adama, and the Head of Corporate Communications, Mrs Idowu Jokepeyibo.
The SMDF representatives welcomed the delegation and commended its engagement with the Fund, promising to convey the requests presented during the meeting to the Executive Secretary for consideration. They also expressed the Fund’s commitment to building a stronger and mutually beneficial relationship with The Miners Magazine.
The three-member delegation was led by Mr Abioye Abiosun, Director of Marketing at The Miners and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Nigeria Mining Tax Summit.
During the meeting, the delegation acknowledged SMDF’s strategic role in advancing Nigeria’s solid minerals industry through initiatives designed to facilitate access to funding, support mining investments and promote the sustainable development of the sector.
The team noted that the Fund’s mandate places it at the centre of efforts to mobilise investments and develop the solid minerals industry as a viable contributor to economic diversification, employment generation, industrial growth and national revenue.
The Miners Magazine seeks stronger institutional ties
The delegation described The Miners Magazine, published by Miners Communications Limited, as a specialised industry publication committed to supporting the growth of Nigeria’s mining sector through professional journalism, stakeholder engagement and the promotion of responsible mining practices.
It explained that the publication provides a platform for reporting developments across the mining value chain, highlighting investment opportunities, examining policy and regulatory issues, and showcasing the contributions of government agencies, private-sector operators and other stakeholders.
According to the team, a stronger relationship between the publication and SMDF would create opportunities for more effective communication of the Fund’s programmes, projects, achievements and investment initiatives to mining operators, investors, policymakers and the wider public.
The delegation consequently sought a structured institutional partnership with the Fund, including media collaboration, sponsored publications, industry research and regular coverage of SMDF’s activities.
It stressed that sustained engagement between the media and institutions responsible for developing the solid minerals sector would help improve public understanding of government interventions, encourage stakeholder participation and promote greater transparency in the industry.
The team added that specialised mining publications could play an important role in bridging information gaps between policymakers, investors, mining communities and operators, particularly as Nigeria intensifies efforts to attract investment beyond the oil and gas sector.
Summit sponsorship tops delegation’s requests
A major focus of the visit was the delegation’s appeal for SMDF’s financial sponsorship and strategic participation in the Nigeria Mining Tax Summit.
The summit is being organised by Miners Communications Limited, publishers of The Miners Magazine and The Miners Online, in collaboration with Secom Limited, a tax and audit firm, and Lambard Consulting Limited.
The event, themed “Unlocking Investment Opportunities in Nigeria’s Mining Industry: Leveraging Tax Reforms, Fiscal Policy and Regulatory Excellence for Sustainable Growth,” is designed to bring together government institutions, tax authorities, mining companies, investors, financial institutions, professional bodies, tax experts and other industry stakeholders.
The summit will provide a platform for discussions on how Nigeria can develop a predictable, transparent and competitive tax regime that encourages investment while ensuring that government earns appropriate revenue from the exploitation of the country’s mineral resources.
Key areas of interest include tax reforms, fiscal policy, regulatory coordination, the cost of doing business, overlapping taxes and levies, and the need for greater consistency in the administration of mining-related taxes and charges.
The organisers believe that addressing these issues is essential to reducing uncertainty for investors, strengthening compliance, improving government revenue and positioning the solid minerals industry as a significant driver of sustainable economic growth.
The summit is also expected to encourage dialogue among federal and state institutions, industry operators and tax professionals on how fiscal policies can support mineral exploration, mine development, processing, value addition and the establishment of viable mineral-based industries.
During the meeting, the organising team disclosed that a review of the summit’s original timetable had become necessary to bring all critical stakeholders on board.
The organisers said the decision to shift the event’s date was intended to allow additional consultations with stakeholders.
The delegation thereafter requested
the SMDF to consider playing a major sponsorship role in the event, noting that the Fund’s participation would be particularly relevant given its mandate to support the development and financing of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
The specific requests presented to the Fund included financial sponsorship, institutional representation, a speaking opportunity for an appropriate representative, exhibition space, branding opportunities and direct engagement with prospective investors and other industry stakeholders.
The team explained that such support would help strengthen the summit’s capacity to deliver meaningful discussions and practical recommendations on the fiscal and regulatory challenges confronting the mining industry.
It added that SMDF’s participation would also provide an opportunity for the Fund to communicate its mandate, highlight relevant investment opportunities and explain its contributions to developing a more competitive and sustainable mining sector.
According to the organisers, the summit’s objectives align with broader efforts to encourage investment, improve the business environment and increase the contribution of solid minerals to Nigeria’s economic development.
The delegation expressed optimism that a stronger working relationship between SMDF and The Miners Magazine would deliver benefits beyond the proposed summit.
It maintained that sustained collaboration between specialised media organisations and public institutions could improve the visibility of investment opportunities, strengthen industry knowledge and encourage productive engagement between government and private-sector stakeholders.
The team also emphasised the importance of consistent information on funding opportunities, policy developments, regulatory requirements and investment prospects to both existing mining operators and prospective investors.
It expressed confidence that the proposed partnership could support SMDF’s public communication objectives while enabling the publication to provide more comprehensive coverage of the
Fund’s interventions and the broader development of Nigeria’s mineral resources
The meeting ended with the delegation thanking the SMDF representatives for receiving the team and considering its proposals. The organisers expressed hope for a favourable response to their requests and the establishment of a mutually beneficial partnership that would contribute to the growth of the mining industry.
The proposed collaboration comes amid continuing efforts to position Nigeria’s solid minerals sector as a stronger contributor to economic diversification, investment mobilisation, job creation and industrial development.