By Abu Ismail
Nigeria, a nation blessed with an abundance of mineral resources, continues to struggle with harnessing its full economic potential due to systemic challenges in education, infrastructure, and industrial policy. The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has once again called for urgent reforms to address these gaps and ensure that the country fully exploits its natural wealth.
Speaking at the 37th Convocation Ceremony and 50th Anniversary of the University of Calabar, Kalu emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s education system. He lamented the overemphasis on theoretical learning at the expense of practical, industry-focused training, particularly in the fields of mining, mineral processing, and extractive metallurgy.
“Nigeria is abundantly endowed with solid minerals, yet our education system has failed to align with this reality,” Kalu stated. “Few universities offer specialized faculties dedicated to mining and mineral refining, and research in value addition remains minimal. If we must move forward as a nation, we need an education system that is directly linked to our economic strengths.”
The Deputy Speaker highlighted the untapped potential of Nigeria’s mining sector, which, despite its vast deposits of gold, lithium, tin, and coal, contributed a meager 0.3% to the GDP in the third quarter of 2022. This is a slight increase from 0.2% in 2021 but still falls far short of the sector’s capabilities.
Providing a breakdown of Nigeria’s mineral wealth, Kalu listed the major resources across different regions:
- North Central: Tin, columbite, tantalite, barite
- North West: Gold, granite, limestone
- North East: Gypsum, kaolin, bentonite
- South West: Bitumen, feldspar, lithium
- South East: Lead, zinc, coal, oil, and gas
- South South: Limestone, clay, rare earth elements
Despite these resources, Nigeria remains a net importer of refined mineral products, a situation Kalu attributed to poor industrialization and inadequate infrastructure, particularly in the energy sector. He stressed that no economy can thrive in darkness, warning that unstable power supply continues to cripple industrial efforts across the country.
“The Electricity Act of 2023 was a step in the right direction, but we must go further. Reliable electricity is the backbone of any industrial economy. Without a stable power supply, investments in mining and manufacturing will remain unviable,” Kalu asserted.
He called for increased investments in gas distribution infrastructure, renewable energy solutions, and industrial power supply chains to drive sustainable economic growth. Additionally, he urged universities to forge stronger partnerships with industry leaders, introduce hands-on training in mineral processing, and ensure that graduates are equipped with skills relevant to Nigeria’s industrial needs.
Kalu’s message was clear: Nigeria’s mineral resources can serve as a foundation for economic prosperity, but only if the right policies, investments, and education reforms are implemented. The challenge now lies in ensuring that these recommendations do not remain mere rhetoric but are actively pursued for the country’s long-term development.