The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has entered a partnership with the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) to harness the mining potential of the North Central region. Minister Dele Alake disclosed this during a meeting with NCDC's management team, led by Managing Director Dr Cyril Tsenyil, in his office. The meeting, confirmed in a statement released Sunday in Abuja by Special Assistant on Media Lara Owoeye-Wise, focused on collaboration to boost mineral value addition. Alake stated the ministry's local value-addition policy has already spurred new mineral processing projects in the region. He noted the mining sector has contributed over $2 billion to Nigeria's economy under President Bola Tinubu's administration. The policy aims to promote in-country processing of minerals, reduce raw material exports and support industrial growth. Alake said the administration has arrested over 300 illegal miners, with about 150, including foreigners, facing prosecution. More than 300 small-scale and artisanal miners have been integrated into cooperatives to formalise operations. He urged NCDC to prioritise transparency and strategic collaboration. Tsenyil welcomed the partnership, proposing a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to coordinate development efforts across the region's mineral-rich areas.