The agreement was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau at the Nigeria Mission House in New York, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

The framework covers geological data and exploration, mineral development and processing, infrastructure, and technical capacity building. Nigeria’s government estimates the country’s mineral resources at approximately $700 billion.

Alake said the partnership would help Nigeria move beyond exporting raw materials by promoting local processing, creating jobs, developing skills, and expanding opportunities for Nigerian businesses.