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.
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.
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