The African Professionals of Australia (APA) has conferred the title of African Champion of the Year on Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake.

This is according to a statement by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Mr Segun Tomori, on Monday in Abuja.

Tomori said that the award was presented at the recent Australia-Africa Diaspora Investment Forum, held alongside the Africa Down Under (ADU) Mining Conference in Perth.

He said Dr Toyosi Craig, President of APA (Western Australia), and APA Chairman, Mr Tommy Adebayo, jointly presented the Certificate of Recognition and the 2025 African Professional Champion of the Year Award to Alake.

“The group said that the award recognised Alake’s outstanding contributions to the mining sector, and his commitment to diaspora engagement,” he said.

Meanwhile, the minister said that he was commitment to deepening reforms in the solid minerals sector and strengthening engagement with African professionals globally.

Alake said this in his keynote address delivered by Mr Martin Imonite, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company.

The diaspora forum also featured a panel discussion on investment, business, expert recruitment and emerging opportunities across Africa.

It highlighted the growing role of diaspora professionals in advancing the continent’s development.