The Nigerian Society of Economic Geologists (NSEG) has encouraged Federal and State governments, captains of industry and other relevant stakeholders to embrace 10 strategic recommendations it made as part of ideological contributions to the development of the mineral sector in the country.
The recommendations were contained in a communiqué issued at the 3rd International Conference of Society, in Ilorin, Kwara State, and jointly signed by the outgoing president of the NSEG, Dr. Abdulrazaq Garba, his Secretary General, Dr. Jimoh Ajadi.
The conference, which theme is, “Today and future trajectories of the minerals industry in Nigeria: from exploration to exploitation and local value addition,” was held at Al-Hikmah University from 27th to 29th October 2024 and was well attended by experts and relevant stakeholders who engaged in discussions centered on strategies for promoting mineral exploration and enhancing foreign investments in Nigeria, local supply chain and value addition and promoting gender diversity in the solid mineral sector.
The Society made the following suggestions.
“The Nigerian Society of Economic Geologist (NSEG) envisions a minerals industry that does not only produce resources but also generates high quality jobs, fosters industrial growth, and brings tangible economic benefits to our nation and communities.
“Government at both federal and state levels should intensify efforts in encouraging or forming partnerships with all relevant stakeholders to enable knowledge sharing best practices adoption and access to required capital to scale our ambitions.
“Mining Operators should dutifully practice environmental responsibility and ensure green operations as much as possible.
“Stakeholders in the industries should ensure gender inclusiveness for women and young professionals to enable fresh perspectives.
“The Nigerian Society of Economic Geologists is ready to provide adequate advice to government on strategies for sustainable development viz-a-viz: Enhanced Exploration, Efficient Exploitation, Local Value Addition, and Stakeholders Engagement.
“Government should ensure that the solid mineral subsector dominates the GDP of the country.
“Stakeholders in the Mining sectors should find solutions to illegal mining and the associated security challenges.
“Government should intensify effort in developing the mining sector rather than allowing non geologists to overtake the industry.
“Investors in the Mining sectors should replicate the scenario in the oil and gas industry by promoting new indigenous mining outfits that could attract financing globally.
The high point of the AGM was the election of new executives’ council to run the affairs of the Society for the next two years (2024-2026).
The new EXCO includes: NAMES POSITION
- Prof. Samuel Bamidele Olobaniyi President
- Dr. Jimoh Ajadi Vice President
- Dr. Edwin Ocheni Ekwo General Secretary
- Dr. Gabriel Efomeh Omolaiye Assistant General Secretary
- Hajiya Sefinatu Mohammed Sani Treasurer
- Prof. Ifeanyi Andrew Oha Financial Secretary
- Mr. Francis Ekere Publicity Secretary
- Prof. Nathaniel Goter Goki Editor-in-Chief
