Valentine Okafor
Australia has shown interest and commitment to collaborate with Nigeria in efforts to address skills gaps in the mining sector.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, said one of the key outcomes of the partnership was his recent inauguration of a two-week pilot training programme for the first batch of 11 Nigerian mining professionals at Murdoch University, Australia.
He said the initiative, with support from the Commonwealth Government, aims to address skill gaps in the mining sector and deepen bilateral ties between Nigeria and Australia.
He noted that the programme represented the realisation of a vision conceived less than two years ago.
According to the minister, the training covers a wide range of subjects, including extractive metallurgy, sustainable geochemistry, and mineral science research.
He explained that participants would also embark on field trips and engage directly with industry experts to explore mining trends, investment opportunities, and sustainability challenges.
The Minister acknowledged the support of President Bola Tinubu and the efforts of the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Leilani Bin-Juda, in bringing the vision to life.
“I also express profound gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and Faculty of Murdoch University for opening their facilities to us so warmly.
“Establishing a working relationship with a leading mining nation like Australia is crucial to strengthening bilateral ties and fostering mutually beneficial development in our mining sectors,” he said.
He charged the participants to be worthy ambassadors of Nigeria and to leverage the training to enhance the country’s technical capabilities and contribute to evidence-based policy design and implementation.
At the 2023 Africa Down Under (ADU) Conference in Perth, Australia, the Minister entered into a bilateral agreement with the Government of Western Australia.
This is through the Australian Ministry of Mines and Petroleum and Murdoch University to facilitate technical training designed to strengthen the expertise of Nigerian mining professionals.