The Solid Minerals Development Fund(SMDF) has called for submission of Expressions of Interest ( EOIs) under its Early-Stage Mineral Exploration and Research Grant Endowment (EMERGE) programme.
The strategic call aims to establish a robust pool of prequalified vendors and technical service providers that the Fund, its strategic partners, and eligible grant beneficiaries can engage for key mining and research activities across Nigeria.
Head of Corporate Communications SMDF, Idowu Jokpeyibo in a statement announcing the call said the initiative operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
She said the call for EOIs, applications are open to service providers across three core service areas: Field and Exploration, Laboratory and Testing, and Site Support and Supply.
The Field and Exploration category encompasses specialised services such as geological mapping, geochemical sampling, geophysical surveys, exploration drilling, core handling, modelling, and resource estimation. Eligible applicants in this category include geoscience consultancies, survey firms, and drilling contractors.
For Laboratory and Testing, the SMDF seeks accredited facilities equipped to deliver sample preparation, assays, and mineralogical and metallurgical testing, with a primary focus on critical minerals such as lithium, tin, tantalum, and rare earth elements.
The third category, Site Support and Supply, targets engineering, procurement, and logistics firms that can provide field camps, access tracks, minor civil works, utilities, field equipment rental, laboratory consumables, and personal protective equipment.
To qualify, prospective applicants must meet strict regulatory standards, including registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), three years of valid tax clearance certificates, three years of audited financial statements, and verifiable evidence of similar assignments completed within the last five years.
“Prequalification will not constitute an award of contract,” the Fund clarified in its statement, noting that successful applicants will retain their prequalified status for one year, subject to periodic review.
The submission portal opened on November 3 and will close strictly at 11:59 p.m. West Africa Time on November 11, 2026. Interested firms must submit their documentation electronically via the programme’s designated portal at vendors.smdf-emerge.com.ng.
The EMERGE Programme is designed as a catalytic grant initiative through which the SMDF provides essential funding for early-stage mineral exploration, critical minerals development, and research and development. By supporting mineral explorers, mining companies, universities, and research institutions, the program aims to generate reliable geological data and advance innovative technologies to draw larger-scale commercial investments.
Industry stakeholders expect the initiative to deepen local participation across the solid minerals value chain significantly.
