Nigeria is beginning to show promising signs of economic recovery, particularly through the solid minerals sector, which is fast attracting global investor interest. According to Frank Aigbogun, Publisher of BusinessDay Media, the country is “turning the corner”—even if the signs aren’t yet fully visible on the streets.
Speaking at the BusinessDay Mining and Solid Minerals Conference—represented by Tayo Fagbule, Editor of BusinessDay—Aigbogun revealed that feedback from business leaders and investors points to a new wave of optimism.
“Every day in my line of work, I speak with people across industries. And one thing I’ve noticed consistently since the start of this year is that Nigeria is turning a corner. You might not see it on the streets yet, but it’s happening,” he shared.
The uptick in investor confidence is evident in sectors like hospitality and aviation, where hotel occupancy in Lagos and Abuja is surging, mostly driven by an influx of expatriates and investors.
“The people flying in are seriously looking at Nigeria again,” he added.
One major driver of this renewed attention is Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. Aigbogun noted that international investors are increasingly drawn to regions with rich natural resources—especially when those resources are supported by transparency, strong legal frameworks, infrastructure, and security.
“Nigeria is one of those countries. That’s why we’re hosting this conference again, with the Honourable Minister and our partners present. It’s a clear sign of faith in the sector’s potential,” he said.
Despite the buzz, Aigbogun emphasized that Nigeria has only begun to tap into its vast mineral resources.
“To borrow a fitting phrase—we’ve barely scratched the surface. There are treasures beneath our soil just waiting to be unearthed.”
He called for action beyond discussion, urging stakeholders to transform dialogue into meaningful progress.
“Let today be more than just talk. Let’s walk away with fresh insights, effective policies, and concrete plans. Most importantly, let’s finally unlock the immense potential we’ve overlooked for far too long.”
