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NESG Hosts Pre-Summit Webinar on Transforming Nigeria’s Mining Industry

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By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) held a significant pre-30th Nigerian Economic Summit (#NES30) webinar on August 13, focused on “Leveraging the African Mining Vision for Nigeria’s Mining Industry Transformation and Growth.

The event aimed to raise public awareness of the critical challenges hindering the Nigerian mining sector from achieving its full potential.

Despite the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to revitalize the mining industry since 2005—through modernizing mining policies, laws, regulations, and investing in geoscience data—the sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP remains minimal, accounting for less than 1 percent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (2024).

The sector’s low contributions to employment, revenue, and exports, coupled with significant environmental, social, and economic impacts, highlight the urgent need for comprehensive reform.

In his welcome address, Mansur Ahmed, Private Sector Co-Chair of the MMPC Steering Committee, emphasized that the pre-summit webinar is crucial for developing policy options to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s economy.

He acknowledged the vast potential of the mining sector, which remains unrealized due to challenges such as conflicts, terrorism, banditry, and inadequate sectoral reforms.

Ahmed also highlighted the importance of aligning Nigeria’s mining sector with the African Mining Vision (AMV), a policy framework adopted by the African Union in 2009, aimed at ensuring that the continent’s mineral resources contribute significantly to sustainable development.

Professor Peter Akper, in his presentation, stressed the untapped potential of Nigeria’s mineral resources, which could significantly boost GDP, revenue earnings, and foreign exchange if properly harnessed. He noted that while reforms were initiated to reposition the sector, challenges such as security concerns, weak regulatory enforcement, and illegal mining activities have hampered progress.

He called for stronger collaboration between the Ministry of Solid Minerals and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to implement structural reforms that could potentially increase GDP by 2.35%, create jobs, diversify government revenue streams, and attract foreign investments.

Delivering the keynote address, Officer at the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) of the African Union Commission, Mkhululi Nkosilamandla Ncube, Programmes underscored the AMDC’s commitment to mainstreaming the AMV across African nations.

He pointed out that the AMV is designed to help countries maximize the benefits of mining, facilitating industrialization and broader socioeconomic development. Mr. Ncube highlighted that Nigeria, as one of the founding members of the AMDC and a recent signatory to the AMV, is well-positioned to leverage these opportunities for growth and transformation.

During the panel session, Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), presented key findings from NEITI’s Solid Minerals Audit Reports, which identified governance, procedural, and operational shortcomings within the mining sector.

He emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms, drawing parallels with the successful implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act.

Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi, shared insights from the BPE’s experience in reforming key economic sectors such as communications, electric power, petroleum, and transport. He provided a framework for how similar reforms could be applied to the mining sector.

President of the Nigeria Private Sector Alliance, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, and National President of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dele Ayanleke, also contributed to the discussions, highlighting the current operating environment in the mining sector and the increasing challenges posed by regulatory interference at the subnational level.

Director of Iron Ore Mining Ltd, Amina Sijuwade, emphasized the need for a stronger legal and regulatory framework, better sectoral administration, and improved access to geoscience data to attract investment and drive growth in the mining sector.

The NESG remains committed to driving conversations that will lead to the transformation of Nigeria’s mining industry, aligning it with the AMV, and ensuring that the country benefits from its vast mineral wealth.

NEWS

Abducted Nasarawa Varsity Students Regain Freedom

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Students of the Faculty of Engineering, Nasarawa State University, Gudi Campus, who were abducted by gunmen have been released.

The Nasarawa State Police Command disclosed this on Tuesday, confirming that the victims are currently receiving medical attention and psychological support following their ordeal.

Announcing the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, said two suspects linked to the abduction had been arrested during intelligence-led operations.

He identified the suspects as Abdullahi Yeyi Haro, alleged to be the leader of the kidnapping syndicate, and Basiru Abdullahi, both natives of Gudi.

According to the command, the arrests followed coordinated tactical operations aimed at dismantling the criminal network responsible for the abduction.

“Following sustained intelligence-led operations and coordinated tactical efforts by operatives of the Command, two suspected kidnappers linked to the incident have been arrested. The suspects, identified as Abdullahi Yeyi Haro, alleged leader of the kidnapping syndicate, and one Basiru Abdullahi, both males from Gudi, were apprehended after diligent investigation and strategic operations aimed at dismantling the criminal network responsible for the abduction,” the statement read.

The Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, commended the operatives for their professionalism and commitment to public safety.

He reiterated the command’s determination to rid the state of kidnapping and other violent crimes.

Mohammed added that investigations were ongoing to track down and arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate and ensure all those involved are brought to justice.

The police also appreciated members of the public for providing timely information that aided the operation and urged residents to remain vigilant and continue cooperating with security agencies.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.

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Uganda’s President Sworn in for Seventh Term

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Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, 81, has been sworn in for a record seventh consecutive term following his landslide victory in disputed elections in January, extending his tenure as one of Africa’s longest-serving rulers.

Heavy security, including armoured tanks, were deployed in the capital, Kampala, ahead of the inauguration in what police said were measures intended to maintain public order.

Museveni was declared the winner of the election with more than 70 percent of the vote, with his term expected to end in 2031.

The 44-year-old opposition leader, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, fled the country after the election, saying he feared that “the regime wanted to eliminate me”.

Museveni first came to power as a rebel leader in 1986 but since then has won seven elections.

He is among the few African leaders in power for more than 40 years. Others include Congo-Brazzaville’s Denis Sassou Nguesso, Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang and Cameroon’s Paul Biya.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala. The government declared the day a public holiday.

African leaders who attended the ceremony included Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Félix Tshisekedi, South Sudan’s Salva Kiir and Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Uganda has one of the world’s youngest populations, with the majority of the people having known no other president.

Museveni has not indicated when he intends to retire, but analysts said this is likely to be his last term.

His 51-year-old son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the military chief, has been widely tipped as a potential successor.

However, Kainerugaba has increasingly faced criticism for the way he uses social media to threaten the opposition, including Wine.

On X earlier this year, he threatened to have Wine’s testicles removed in posts that have since been removed.

Wine, who leads the National Unity Platform party, said the results of the elections were “fake” and urged Ugandans to fight back for their democracy.

The government insisted that the elections were free and fair, and Museveni accused the opposition of seeking to overturn the results through violence, calling them “terrorists”.

Wine went into hiding after raids on his house, and accused security forces of targeting him and his family.

Police denied the allegations, insisting they were only providing security for him as a presidential candidate.

Museveni’s government has continued to face criticism from rights groups over a security force crackdown following the disputed vote.

Last month, Amnesty International said that at least 16 people had likely been killed between 15 and 18 January by the military and the police. It said the victims were reportedly unarmed and posed no imminent threat.

The rights group has also been critical of the treatment of another key opposition politician, Kizza Besigye, who remains in jail since late 2024 after being dramatically abducted while visiting Kenya and forcibly taken to Uganda.

He was later charged in a military court with possession of pistols and attempting to purchase weapons abroad – accusations which he denies.

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NEWS

NYSC Closes Camp for 1,953 Corps Members in Bayelsa

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From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

A total of 1,953 Corps Members have closed camping for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream 2 orientation exercise and mandatory one-year service in Bayelsa.

The closing ceremony took place at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp Kaiama, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa on Tuesday.

In his closing remarks Gov.

Douye Diri, urged the corps members to make their service to Bayelsa and Nigeria at large memorable, as they close the 21 days mandatory camping.

He urged the corps members to be serious in their Place of Primary Assignment, as to impact knowledge to the people.

Represented by the Executive Assistant to the Governor on NYSC Matter, Mr Wisdom Poyeri, he appealed to corps members to have tolerance and unity for one another in there PPA, as they leave the orientation camp.

He said that the Bayelsa government is ready to support them as they serve in the state for one year. Urging them to contribute meaningfully to their place of primary assignment.

The governor urged them to take seriously whatever they have learnt in the camp, as it will be of immense benefit to them tomorrow.

“I urge you to impact meaningfully on what you have been taught in the camp, for it can be a light to others in the society.Please do not disappoint yourselves, your school and your parents for their support to makyou a better person in the society.

“Bayelsa and Nigeria are counting on you to impact good conduct in Bayelsa State for the future generations,” he said.

The governor pledged the Bayelsa government’s commitments to their welfare and safety, as they remain in Bayelsa, to serve their country Nigeria.

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