Dele Alake, Named African Champion of the Year by Australian Professionals Body
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – The African Professionals of Australia (APA) has conferred the prestigious title of African Champion of the Year upon Nigeria’s Minister of Mines and Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake.
The award was presented during the Australia-Africa Diaspora Investment Forum and Africa Down Under (ADU) Mining Conference, organized by the APA at the Pan Pacific Perth, Australia, on Thursday, September 5th. The event convened prominent leaders and professionals from across Africa and the Diaspora to discuss progress and future development and investment in critical sectors of African economies.
In a keynote address delivered on his behalf, Dr. Alake highlighted Nigeria’s vast mineral wealth, noting the country is blessed with more than 40 identified and explorable mineral resources existing in commercial quantities which are yet to be fully tapped 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,” the Minister’s speech read.
He further positioned Nigeria as the ideal investment destination, stating, “Nigeria, as we all know, is the economic hub of West Africa and has the young population needed to drive the emerging Mining Economy. In the last two years, the Nigerian government has enacted many policies that make Foreign Direct Investment easy. The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government is ready to provide necessary support to any foreign investment in mining with up-to-date data, human resources, and other areas of need.”
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of the Certificate of Recognition and the 2025 African Professionals Champion of the Year Award to Dr. Alake. The Minister was represented at the ceremony by the MD/CEO of the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company, Mr. Martins Imonite, who received the honours on his behalf.
Presenting the award, the President of APA Western Australia, Dr. Toyosi Craig, stated that Dr. Alake was chosen for having consistently played a significant role in fostering technology and skill transfer between Australia and Africa.
The event was graced by special guests including Ambassador Dr. Jane Adams, the Nigerian Ambassador to Australia, and the Ethiopian Ambassador to Australia, Mr. Anwar Muktar, among other dignitaries.
The Nigerian delegation was notably represented by 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.
The APA offers Professional Development Programs, Leadership Training, Mentorship, and Workplace Experience Programs to hundreds of members each year. The organization recognized the efforts of its executives Tomide Ajala, Adewunmi Adebayo, and Bamise Ogunlowo in making the events a success.
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About APA: The African Professionals of Australia (APA) empowers professionals to reach their full potential in Australia by employing creativity, teamwork, and the diversity of its membership through various development programs.
