By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
Nigeria’s Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, has expressed optimism that reviving and operationalising the Nigeria Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) on its own will assist in addressing the issue of unemployment directly by way of creating jobs, and indirectly by way of becoming a practical training ground for geology and mining students to make them employable in the sector.
Audu, according to a statement issued on Friday by his SA on Media and Communications, Haruna Abdullahi, was speaking while embarking on a tour of NIOMCO’s facilities during his just concluded 3-day maiden ministerial visit to NIOMCO in Itakpe and the sister company – the Ajaokuta Steel Company in Ajaokuta where he started earlier, both in Kogi State.
His remark followed a hint by NIOMCO’s management of the company’s plans to partner universities teaching Geology and Mining in training students at the facility with a view to producing a workforce, well equipped with requisite skills and expertise needed to bolster the nation’s mining industry.
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Speaking about the prospects of revitalising NIOMCO, the Minister described it as a goldmine that could effectively address the issue of unemployment and subsequently lead to massive poverty eradication as he underscored the pivotal role mining and related industries could play in the country’s economic development.
“NIOMCO holds a veritable prospect for a training ground for Geology and Mining programmes in Nigerian universities.This will bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical skills, allowing students to gain hands-on experience within the mining sector. It aligns with the nation’s goal of nurturing a skilled workforce capable of driving the mining industry’s growth.” Audu said.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for NIOMCO goes beyond industrial rejuvenation. He believes that a thriving mining sector will not only generate job opportunities but also contribute significantly to poverty eradication.
“Once NIOMCO is fully operational, it will contribute substantially to the nation’s iron ore production, thereby reducing the need for costly imports. This self-sufficiency will enhance Nigeria’s economic stability and strengthen its position in the global market.
“Furthermore, by offering training opportunities, NIOMCO will cultivate a new generation of skilled mining professionals who can explore untapped mineral resources across the country,” Audu said.
