Mining Experts Decry Inadequate Funding In Minerals, Energy, Water Sectors

The Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) on Friday lamented the poor funding and ineffective policy implementation within Nigeria’s mineral, energy, water, and construction sectors, warning that, without urgent intervention, the country’s developmental progress will remain constrained.

It asserted that solutions to the challenges within these sectors exist, but are impeded by poor funding and ineffective policy execution.

President of NMGS, Professor Akinade Shadrach Olatunji, shared these concerns with journalists in Abuja during a pre-conference press briefing. He emphasised that the forthcoming 60th Annual International Conference and Exhibition (AICE) would highlight innovations aimed at driving sustainable development across these critical sectors.

The conference, scheduled to commence on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at Chida International Hotel, Utako, Abuja, will centre on the theme: “Transformation of the Mineral, Energy, Water, and Construction Sectors through Innovations.”

Professor Olatunji urged Nigerians to embrace geoscience and mining innovations to spur national development, stressing the importance of harnessing these innovations to address Nigeria’s economic and environmental challenges.

He stated: “The importance of utilising the tools and solutions from the fields would be on full display at this conference and we will be using the conference to urge the Nigeria public to appreciate the need to utilise these available resources in solving developmental challenges in the various sectors identified.

“Experts from the energy, solid mineral, oil and gas, construction, water, environment and agriculture sectors are going to be making presentations on cutting edge solutions to the challenges in these sectors. Academics will be presenting their research findings on the various themes and sub-themes.

“The Nigerian nation is looking for solutions and ways to solve the challenges confronted in these sectors, what we are saying as NMGS is that these solutions are here with us. We are going to be showing these in no small measure at the conference. Eminent individuals have been lined up to make presentations at this event.

“Transformation of the Mineral, Energy, Water and Construction Sectors through Innovations, Resource Management and Value addition in the Minerals and Mining Sector. Maximising the Benefits of the Nigerian Water Resources. Managing the Emerging Realities in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Sector.

“Optimization of Geoscience Solutions in the Construction Sector. Re-alignment of Geoscience and Mining Education with Emerging, Global Realities. Identification and Commercialization of the Nigerian Geo-Heritage and Medical Geology Resources, Geosciences Application in Environmental and Geo-Hazards Monitoring and Control.”

Professor Olatunji assured that the conference would provide practical solutions that policymakers, industry leaders, and the public could implement to foster development.

He further remarked, “Of course, there are going to be lots of social events to spice up the rigor of the activities of the day with welcome cocktails on Sunday, Fellows and Institutional Nights on Tuesday, Awards Nights on Wednesday and a Variety Night on Thursday.

“This year, we are going to be recognising some sets of individuals who are currently showcasing the best of what the profession can offer today and tomorrow the country and to the world in both private and public sectors.

“These individuals will be recognised as Ambassadors of the Society at the Awards Night where eminent members would also be conferred with the Fellowship of the NMGS.”