Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have taken steps to strengthen bilateral cooperation in geoparks development, with a focus on linking sustainable mining practices, geotourism and environmental conservation.
The collaboration was formalised on January 14, 2026, on the sidelines of the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, with the signing of a Partnership Framework for Cooperation on Geoparks Mentoring, Technical Exchange and Creative Geotourism Promotion.
The agreement was entered into by Ghamra Camp, part of the North Riyadh UNESCO Global Geopark, and the Zuma Rock Resort Aspiring Geopark/Royal Institute in Nigeria.
The signing ceremony was witnessed on behalf of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo, as part of the minister’s official engagements at the forum.
The partnership was facilitated by the UNESCO International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme Nigeria National Committee (IGGP-NNC), led by Dr. Aminu Abdullahi Isyaku, with the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) serving as secretariat.
Speaking on the initiative, Dr. Isyaku said the collaboration aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, positioning geoscience as a driver of economic growth and environmental sustainability.
According to him, the initiative reflects the balanced commitment of the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development to advancing Nigeria’s extractive minerals sector while safeguarding outstanding geoheritage sites for transformation into geoparks and geotourism destinations.
Under the framework, both countries will undertake mentoring, technical exchanges, creative geotourism development and mutual promotion. The agreement is designed as a practical, non-bureaucratic platform that enables Saudi Arabia’s advanced experience in geoparks management to support Nigeria’s emerging initiatives, while creating new value chains in culture, digital content, training and destination branding.
The two sides also acknowledged the historic under-representation of their regions in the global geoparks movement and commended Saudi Arabia’s leadership in UNESCO Global Geoparks as a model for West Africa.
Officials noted that the partnership is expected to strengthen people-to-people relations between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, while unlocking sustainable economic opportunities anchored in geoheritage conservation, education and innovation.
