Economy : Kalu Advocates Focus On Minerals Processing

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu has emphasized the need for Nigeria’s education sector to focus on practical disciplines, particularly in mining and mineral processing, to tap into the country’s vast mineral deposits.

Kalu made this assertion during his lecture at the 37th convocation and 50th anniversary of the University of Calabar, Cross River State.

He highlighted Nigeria’s rich mineral deposits, including tin, columbite, tantalite, and barite in the North Central region, gold, granite, and limestone in the North West, and gypsum, kaolin, and bentonite in the North East.

According to Kalu, Nigeria’s education system has focused more on theoretical disciplines, resulting in the country’s inability to harness its natural wealth.

He emphasized the need to align educational priorities with the country’s economic potential.

“To build a truly prosperous nation, we must align our educational priorities with the resources that define our economic potential,” Kalu said.

The mining sector contributed only 0.3% to Nigeria’s GDP in Q3 2022, despite its vast potential. Kalu called for universities to dedicate faculties to mining, mineral processing, and extractive metallurgy, and for research into value addition, refining, and sustainable mining practices.

Kalu also stressed the importance of improving power supply infrastructure to drive industrialization and economic growth.

He commended the Electricity Act of 2023 as a significant step towards achieving this goal but noted that implementation gaps persist.

The deputy speaker emphasized the need for sustainability in powering industries and expanding infrastructure. “Energy without environmental responsibility is a short-term fix with long-term consequences,” he added.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Blessing Nyor