Ooni Leads Push for Nigerian Mining Growth at 2026 African Indaba

​The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, has arrived in Cape Town, South Africa, leading a high-powered Nigerian delegation to the 2026 Investing in African Mining Indaba. As the Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), the Ooni’s presence signals a unified effort between traditional leadership and state policy to revitalize Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

​Accompanying the monarch is a strategic “Ooni Caucus” featuring key legislative and private sector players, including:

• ​Senator Gbenga Daniel: Chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals.
• ​Senator Ekong Sampson.
• ​Senator Ireti Kingibe: Representative of the FCT.

• ​Mr. Segun Adebuti: Chairman of Romulus Mining Limited.

​A Continental Call for Sovereignty

​The 32nd edition of the Indaba opened at the Cape Town International Convention Centre against a backdrop of global geopolitical tension. South African Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, warned delegates that the “scramble” for critical minerals by developed nations poses a direct threat to the sovereignty of African states.

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​Under the theme “Stronger Together: Progress Through Partnerships,” Mantashe urged African nations to move past internal competition and instead collaborate to ensure the continent retains a greater share of the value chain, from exploration to processing.

​Mining Indaba 2026 by the Numbers

​The scale of this year’s conference underscores its status as the world’s largest mining investment event. Over the four-day summit, the following attendance is expected:

• ​10,500+ Total Delegates: Ranging from policy makers to engineers.
• ​1,300+ Global Investors: Seeking opportunities in gold, lithium, and rare earth elements.

• ​1,450+ Corporate Executives: Representing the world’s leading mining firms.
• ​1,400+ Government Officials: From across the African continent and beyond.

• ​500+ Exhibiting Companies: Showcasing the latest in extraction and green mining technology.

​For Nigeria, the mission is clear: attract responsible investment that respects local communities while diversifying the national economy away from oil. The delegation’s participation highlights a commitment to “partnership-led development” that aims to position Nigeria as a primary destination for mining capital in West Africa.