The African Professionals of Australia (APA) has named Nigeria Minister of Mines and Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake as the African Champion of the Year.
The conferment takes place at the Australia-Africa Diaspora Investment Forum and Africa Down Under (ADU) Mining Conference organized by A.P.A held at the Pan Pacific Perth, Australia on September 5, 2025.
The event which brought together prominent leaders and professionals from across Africa and Diaspora has to discuss the progress and future Development and Investment in critical sectors of Africa economies.
In his keynote speech, Nigerian Minister of Mines and Solid Minerals noted that Nigeria is blessed with more than 40 identified and explorable -in commercial quantities- mineral resources which are yet to be fully taped into maximally.
“It is against this background that the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR established Nigeria Solid Mineral Company to replicate the successes that have been recorded in similar joint ventures in our Oil and Gas sectors”
“Nigeria as we all know is the economic hub of West Africa has the young population needed to drive the emerging Mining Economy. In the last two years, Nigerian government has enacted many policies that makes Nigeria Foreign Direct Investment easy and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu led government is ready to provide necessary support to any foreign investment in mining with up-to-date data, human and other areas of need.”
A major highlight of the event was the presentations of the Certificate of Recognition and the 2025 African Professionals Champion of the Year Award to Dr. Henry Dele Alake, Nigerian Minister of Mines and Solid Minerals represented by MD/CEO of Nigeria Solid Minerals Company, Mr. Martins Imonite.
Presenting the Certificate of Recognition and the African Professionals Champion of the Year Award, the President of APA Western Australia, Dr. Toyosi Craig noted that the 2025 African Professionals Champion of the Year Awardee, Dr. Henry Dele Alake has consistently been playing significant role in fostering technology and skill transfer between Australia and Africa.
The event was graced by special guests Ambassador Dr Jane Adams, the Nigerian Ambassador to Australia and the Ethiopian Ambassador to Australia Mr Anwar Muktar among other dignitaries.
Notable Nigerian delegates at the event included Prof. Omoniyi Ige, Director General of the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA); Prof. S.B. Hassan, DG & CEO of the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences (NIMG); and Prof. Ayeni, Special Adviser to the Minister on Marketing.
APA offers Professional Development Programs, Leadership Training, Mentorship, and Workplace Experience Programs to hundreds of members each year. By employing creativity, teamwork, and the diversity of its membership, APA continues to empower professionals to reach their full potential in Australia. APA recognizes the efforts of its executives Tomide Ajala, Adewunmi Adebayo and Bamise Ogunlowo in making the events a success.
