My Successor in 2031 Will Be Better Than Me, Says Otti

Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has secured a second term as the Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG). The re-election took place during the group’s 2026 Annual General Meeting held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Alake, who served as the pioneer chairman of the forum, continues to lead the charge for coordinated action among African mining ministers to maximize the continent's mineral wealth.

​During the event, Governor Otti remarked that the "curse" that had previously hindered Abia’s progress has finally been broken. He emphasized that his administration is not yet three years old, yet the impact of its policies is already being felt across the state. The Governor attributed his success to divine timing and the support of the people, noting that true power belongs to God and manifests when the time is right.

As part of a broader institutional reform approved at the AGM, the AMSG has expanded its leadership structure to ensure better regional representation. New positions including Vice-Chairman, Deputy Secretary-General, and Financial Secretary were created and distributed across Africa’s sub-regions. While Alake represents West Africa as Chairman, the Democratic Republic of Congo was elected to the Vice-Chairman position, representing Central Africa.

​The new leadership team also includes representatives from East, North, and Southern Africa. Uganda retains the role of Secretary-General, Mauritania takes on the Deputy Secretary-General position, and South Africa serves as the Financial Secretary. This balanced structure is intended to foster inclusion and ensure that the specific mining interests of every African region are represented at the highest level of decision-making.

Dr. Alake’s re-election is seen as a vote of confidence in Nigeria’s leadership within the African mining sector. Since his initial appointment in 2024, he has been a vocal advocate for "mineral sovereignty" and intra-African cooperation. With a renewed mandate and a reformed organizational structure, the AMSG is poised to push for more aggressive policies that protect and enhance Africa’s natural resources for the benefit of its people.