Alake, Kyari, Others Urge Policy Reforms To Harness Nigeria’s Vast Mineral Resources

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, group chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) Mele Kyari, and other industry leaders on Tuesday called for policy reforms in order for Nigeria to reap the stupendous resources buried under her soil.

They also showcased the groundbreaking innovations aimed at driving sustainable development in Nigeria’s mineral, energy, water, and construction sectors.

Speaking at the 60th Annual International Conference and Exhibition (AICE) of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) in Abuja, Kyari underscored the role of innovation in optimising energy production and ensuring environmental sustainability.

Other industry stakeholders at the event shared insights on new advancements designed to boost efficiency, economic growth, and responsible resource management.

Alake, who was conferred with an honorary fellowship of the NMGS, was represented by the permanent secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Mary Ogbe.

He emphasised the importance of leveraging technology to maximise the nation’s vast natural resources.

LEADERSHIP reports that the conference, with the theme: “Transformation of the Mineral, Energy, Water, and Construction Sectors through Innovations,” provides a platform for experts and policymakers to explore strategies that will enhance Nigeria’s resource-based industries while promoting sustainability.

Alake said: “The mining industry is undergoing a paradigm shift globally, with the adoption of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and automation enhancing exploration, production efficiency, and environmental sustainability. In Nigeria, we must embrace these innovations to attract investment, increase productivity, and ensure the responsible extraction of our vast mineral resources.”

He further emphasised that the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development had prioritised the deployment of geospatial data and remote sensing technologies to optimise mineral exploration and investment decisions.

Alake stressed the need for sustainable mining practices.

“The adoption of renewable energy solutions in mining operations, such as solar and hydroelectric power, will reduce carbon footprints and operational costs, ensuring a greener mining industry.

“Water is a critical resource in mining and construction. Thus, integrating water conservation technologies and efficient recycling systems will promote environmental stewardship and align with global best practices,” he said.

NMGS president Prof. Akinade Olatunji emphasised the importance of innovation in driving sustainable development in the mineral, energy, water, and construction sectors.

Olatunji called for policy reforms to harness Nigeria’s human resources and technological potential, urging strategic planning for national development.

“As Nigerians, we have enormous advantages over our peers. We have a young, dynamic, vibrant and very innovative population. We as a nation must put together a policy that will maximise these advantages. It is a shame that with the humongous human resources at our disposal within and at diaspora, that we will be lagging behind in development across all the sectors identified.

“This conference hopes to put a stop to that as we are ready to showcase the best of what the geoscience and mining profession in Nigeria can offer. We are bringing in the best of our arsenals to signpost the pathway to development that this country should and must thread.

“We want to show the nation that we have what it takes to help propel this nation on a trajectory of consistent growth that will wipe out poverty from this nation within a decade.”

He noted that geoscience’s role in agriculture and food security was carefully integrated into the discussions, focusing on leveraging Nigeria’s natural and human resources for long-term poverty eradication.

In his remarks, the group chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mele Kolo Kyari, stressed the need for a robust energy security framework.

He underscored the role of technological advancements in optimising the extractive and energy sectors for national development.

He said: “No country that toys with energy security. If you do, you’re actually toying with their security. I’m sure you all recall that their sustainable queue, you will see the ripple effects that happens, many things that happen, and in many countries, what really happens here cannot be tolerated anywhere else.

“And that’s why the law is very clear that we must have created, well within sustaining, ensuring any disability in our country. And you know, it’s very clear about it, and that is why it’s a perfect opportunity for me to clarify. Every country attempts to provide a domestic supply of energy.

“In this country, it is important to know that in every country, people find a way of living where there’s no such energy sources. People find a way of storing this energy. That’s why we have a key role as the national oil company to ensure that we guarantee any security in our country.

“That means that under any circumstances that we must provide this and which is why it’s very important to address some of the conversations you are seeing out there around imports of nuclear product on their sub quality fuel in the country, and so on and so forth that you see around for the importance of any doubt, import of product is not crime. Let me just make it very, very clear, it is not a crime.”

Also speaking at the event, Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, who was also honoured with an NMGS fellowship, said that Nigeria should be recognised as a gas-rich country given its 220 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves compared to 40 billion barrels of oil.

He said: “Nigeria is so blessed when it comes to oil resources. However, we often refer to Nigeria not just as an oil-rich country but primarily as a gas country that also has oil.

“This is because Nigeria currently holds over 220 trillion standard cubic feet of gas, compared to roughly 40 billion barrels of oil. As a nation with such vast natural wealth, our focus should be on maximising these resources for sustainable development.”