Advocating for Mining Education in Nigerian Schools

A proposal for the incorporation of mining education into the primary and secondary school curricula in Nigeria has been advanced by stakeholders. The proponents have also underscored the necessity of imposing stricter penalties for illegal mining activities, citing the substantial loss of revenue resulting from these illicit practices.

In a recent interview with Tribune Online, Owolabi Salis, a Nigerian chartered accountant based in New York, conveyed the urgency of integrating mining education into the school curriculum. He emphasised the relevance of such education in contributing to the country’s economic growth, asserting that it is crucial for younger Nigerians to be educated and informed about the potential benefits of the mining sector.

Salis stressed the importance of incorporating mining education not only in primary and secondary schools but also in tertiary institutions. He emphasised that countries with a strong emphasis on mining make it a compulsory part of their education system, aiming to educate their youth in this field.

Furthermore, Salis appealed to President Bola Tinubu to place greater emphasis on the mining sector and underscored the value of transforming natural resources into beneficial assets for the populace. He noted that this should encompass not only solid minerals but also other valuable resources, such as precious gems found within Nigeria’s oceans.

Highlighting the detrimental impact of illegal mining activities, Salis drew attention to the collaboration between foreign entities and certain individuals within the country, contributing to over 60 to 65 per cent of the security challenges faced by Nigeria. He revealed that illegal miners often incite and fund communal conflicts to illicitly gain access to natural resources.

The chartered accountant expressed disapproval of the 30-day ultimatum issued by the Federal Government to illegal miners, claiming that the country is suffering substantial financial losses due to their unlawful activities. Salis estimated that Nigeria loses billions of dollars annually as a result of negligence in monitoring the mining sector, citing illegal mining and the smuggling of precious gems, aquatic animals, and wild animals out of the country as major contributing factors.

Moreover, Salis expressed concern over the security threats posed by unregulated mining practices and illegal activities, such as the funding of insurgencies by foreign illegal miners. He criticised the lack of attention from Nigerian authorities towards addressing the involvement of international criminals in these activities.

In conclusion, the advocacy for the introduction of mining education in Nigerian schools is driven by the desire to equip the younger generation with knowledge about the mining sector and its potential benefits. Additionally, the call for stricter penalties for illegal mining activities is aimed at curbing the significant revenue losses and security threats posed by these unlawful practices.

Source:
Nigerian Tribune