Osun open for mining business with ease of doing business amid tight security, Adeleke says

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has urged local and foreign investors to tap into the state’s abundant solid minerals, assuring them of policy stability, enhanced security, and a streamlined ease-of-doing-business environment.

The governor made the appeal in Cape Town, South Africa, at a high-level dinner hosted by Romulus Mining on the sidelines of the Mining Indaba.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke outlined Osun’s strategic roadmap to position mining as a key driver of economic diversification, job creation, and sustainable internally generated revenue.

He disclosed that his administration has implemented regulatory reforms to attract credible, long-term investors, including streamlining state-level permitting and approval processes, cutting timelines by more than 50 per cent. Comprehensive geological resource mapping has also been completed, providing investors with reliable, bankable data to guide investment decisions.

Commending Romulus Mining for its growing presence in the state, Adeleke noted the company plans to increase its investment from $50 million to $150 million over the next three years. He described the firm as a responsible and value-driven operator, citing its use of advanced exploration techniques, innovative financing, and strong host community engagement.

The governor highlighted that Osun is rich in commercially viable deposits of gold, lead, zinc, quartz, and feldspar, with 19 active mining licences currently operating under the state’s investment framework. He added that the government has strengthened security around mining corridors and expanded public-private partnerships to promote local processing and value addition.

Adeleke also revealed plans to formalise artisanal and small-scale mining through targeted training, access to finance, and deployment of modern technology, aiming to improve productivity, safety, and regulatory compliance.

“Osun State is open for mining business. The government is not just a regulator; we are a committed partner delivering predictable policies, secure operations, and sustainable returns for investors,” he said.

The event was attended by the Honourable Ministers of Solid Minerals Development and Information, as well as His Royal Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, highlighting collaboration between federal, state, and traditional institutions in advancing Nigeria’s mining sector.