Two weeks after the historic, maiden edition of the Solid Minerals Excellence Awards (SOMEA 2026) at the Abuja Continental Hotel, its impact continues to ripple across the nation’s mining and investment landscape. The landmark event successfully brought the ‘hidden giants’ behind Nigeria’s vast mineral wealth out of the shadows, signaling a massive, human-centered shift toward the country’s next economic frontier.
Organized in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, SOMEA 2026 was far more than an awards ceremony. It served as a powerful national platform to build investor confidence, champion sustainable mining, and celebrate the risk-takers, community leaders, and visionaries driving Nigeria’s non-oil economy.
Endorsing the initiative, the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, emphasized that the event directly advances Nigeria’s mining transformation agenda by promoting “responsible, safe, and sustainable mining practices.”
Reflecting on the deeper significance of the milestone, Dr. Alake captured the spirit of the industry’s evolution, stating:
“Our past is a story already told, our future shall be written in gold.”
Unyielding Credibility and Vision
To ensure real-world impact and strict transparency, winners were evaluated by an independent panel using a unique evaluation framework. Professor Olatunji Akinade, Chairman of the SOMEA 2026 Jury, explained:
“This Jury was constituted using the Quadruple Helix Model with members drawn from Industry, Government, Academia, and Civil Society/Community. This structure ensured our deliberations balanced commercial realities, policy context, academic standards, and social impact. This recognition is a platform. I encourage winners to leverage it to strengthen partnerships, attract investment, and drive further growth.”
Dr. Oladuni Owo, President of SOMEA, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the sector’s critical role in the federal government’s broader economic vision:
“The Nigerian Solid Minerals industry stands at the center of Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda. Under the leadership of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the strategic direction of the Honourable Minister, Dr. Dele Alake, the Federal Government has made it clear: Mining will be a pillar of Nigeria’s prosperity.”
A Paradigm Shift in Mining Practices
Instead of focusing solely on corporate extraction figures, SOMEA 2026 heavily prioritized Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) values, occupational health and safety, local content development, and community integration.
By honoring local artisanal cooperatives and highlighting women operators, the event proved that the true heartbeat of Nigerian mining lies in its people, the safety of its laborers, and the cooperation of its host communities.
This historic event was made possible through the collaboration of forward-thinking institutions. Headline sponsor dGold and platinum sponsor Kursi Group anchored the celebration, with essential operational and institutional backing from Segilola Resources Operating Ltd, the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), Dukia Gold, Titan Minerals Ltd, Rebar Perfecta, Zuma 828 Coal Ltd, Nigerian Indigenous Women in Mining, African Natural Resources and Mines Ltd, and Hahaibs Nigeria Ltd.
SOMEA 2026 HONOUR ROLL: THE WINNERS
The true essence of the night shone through its laureates, who are setting the new gold standard for equity and productivity across Nigeria:
- Mining & Processing Company of the Year – Lithium: Avatar New Energy Materials Co. Ltd
- Mining & Processing Company of the Year – Coal: Mosra Energy
- Mining & Processing Company of the Year – Barite: RIMCO Nigeria Ltd
- Mining & Processing Company of the Year – Limestone / Cement: BUA Cement Plc
- Mining & Processing Company of the Year – Tin: Alavas Trading
- Mining Company of the Year – Copper: Jamis Minerals Ltd
- Mining Company of the Year – Lead Zinc: Multiverse Mining & Exploration Plc
- Mining Company of the Year – Iron Ore: African Industries Ltd
- Gold Mining Company of the Year: Segilola Resources Operating Ltd
- Gold Trading Company of the Year: Sama Technology Ltd
- Gold Aggregating Company of the Year – ASM: Kian Smith Mine Ltd
- Outstanding Gold Producer of the Year: Segilola Resources Operating Ltd
- ASM Enterprise of the Year Award: Korokpa Taimako Crushing and Processing Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited
- Most Innovative Mining Company of the Year: African Natural Resources and Mines Ltd
CDA Company of the Year: Segilola Resources Operating Ltd
- Responsible Mining Host Community of the Year: Isashi/Ibeshe Community, Ikorodu, Lagos State
- ASM Outstanding Woman of the Year Award: Mrs. Nere Emiko (MD/CEO, Kian Smith Mine Limited)
- Outstanding Performer in Environmental Management: Zuma 828 Coal Ltd, Kogi
- Outstanding Performer in Occupational Health & Safety: African Natural Resources and Mines Ltd
- ASM Miner of the Year Award: Mrs. Janet O. Ahiaba
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Hajia Huwa (Hahaibs Nigerian Limited)
- Mines Academy of the Year Award: Laurel School of Mines
- Outstanding Leadership in Sector Reform Award: Hon. Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi
- State with the Highest Royalty Contribution Award: Edo State
- CEO Leadership Award: Mr. Fadi Abou Ghazel (Titan Minerals Ltd)
Special Institutional Appreciation Awards were also presented to agencies playing vital roles in regulatory enforcement and strengthening Nigeria’s mining ecosystem, including:=
Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF)
Mining Cadastre Office (MCO)
Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences (NIMG)
Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA)
Two weeks on, the conversations sparked at SOMEA 2026 continue to dominate boardrooms, regulatory circles, and mining communities. By celebrating its “hidden giants,” Nigeria has signaled to the global investment market that its economic diversification is no longer a distant potential, it is actively unfolding on a foundation of human excellence, safety, and mutual respect.
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