The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji has urged the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) to collaborate with agencies under the ministry to leverage government programs aimed at scientific and technological development in the country.
Nnaji emphasised the significant role of the NMGS in economic development, noting that the fields of mining and geosciences are essential for the nation’s economic diversification and industrialisation. He made these comments during a courtesy visit from NMGS President, Prof. Akinade Olatunji in Abuja.
“We must strengthen collaboration to integrate cutting-edge technologies for the efficiency, safety, and economic sustainability of our country,” stated Nnaji. He highlighted that modernising the sector can be effectively achieved by utilising artificial intelligence (AI) data analysis for optimal resource management, adopting renewable energy to enhance efficiency and minimise environmental impact and implementing advanced geopolitical surveys for improved resource estimation.
To this end, Nnaji affirmed that the government is dedicated to addressing key industrial challenges by promoting local value addition, reducing raw material exports and supporting capacity building and research and development (R&D) to foster home-grown solutions.
Earlier, Olatunji mentioned that the purpose of their visit was to collaborate with the ministry in areas of innovation, science and technology for the socio-economic transformation of the nation. He also pointed out that one of the society’s mandates is to promote innovation and sustain the nation’s wealth through the oil and gas sector, agriculture and the extraction of solid minerals to further economic advancement.
