Advancing Gender Equity in the Nigerian Mining Sector
The federal government of Nigeria is adamant about its commitment to advancing gender equality and increasing the participation of women in the country’s burgeoning mining industry. At the unveiling of the Gender Strategy for the Mining and Steel Sectors and the WIMIN Strategy in Abuja, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, underscored that this initiative aims to promote diversity, empower women, and bolster the overall sustainability of the mining sector.
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and Ministry of Steel Development have partnered with N & G Consulting Firm Ltd, backed by the World Bank’s Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification (MinDiver), to develop the gender strategy as part of their ongoing efforts to implement this roadmap.
Minister Alake reaffirmed the government’s dedication to increasing women’s participation in leadership and governance roles within the mining sector and communities, in line with the strategy’s objectives rooted in the principles of equality, diversity, and empowerment.
Under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the government recognises the significance of gender equity and female participation in its roadmap for the growth and development of the Nigerian Mining Industry. Minister Alake emphasized, “We believe that promoting gender equality is both a moral and strategic decision that will drive innovation, enhance productivity and contribute to the sustainable development of our nation. We encourage our stakeholders to also entrench gender equality in their organisations.”
Furthermore, it was highlighted that the current administration has shown unwavering commitment to fostering diversity and empowering women, with Minister Alake noting that he had appointed more female aides in his office.
At the event, the national president of Women In Mining In Nigeria (WIMIN), Engineer Mrs. Janet Adeyemi, underscored the group’s humble beginnings and its growth to establish linkages to regional, continental, and global women in mining associations. She expressed, “Today’s launch serves as a beacon of hope – a rallying cry for collective action and solidarity. It is a platform to disseminate these transformative strategies, mobilise stakeholders, and ignite a movement towards meaningful change.”
The permanent secretary of the Ministries of Solid Minerals Development and Steel Development, Dr. Mary Ogbe, urged industry players to be resolute in effectively implementing the gender strategy, highlighting that women can achieve their inclusion and equality through intelligence, not might.
In conclusion, the project coordinator of MinDiver, Engr Sallim Salam, underscored the agency’s efforts to develop and implement the gender strategy document to mainstream women in the mining sector. His remarks reinforce the government’s commitment to advancing gender equity and promoting women’s active involvement in Nigeria’s mining industry.
