By Awyetu Asabe Hope
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Professor Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, has called for a sustainable approach to mining that balances economic growth with environmental protection and social justice.
Speaking at the annual conference of the Nigerian Environmental Study Action Team in Abuja, on Thursday Prof. Ortuanya said Nigeria’s vast mineral resources could drive economic diversification, industrialisation, job creation and investment, if properly managed.
He warned, however, that poorly regulated mining activities could lead to land degradation, deforestation, water pollution, biodiversity loss and conflicts in host communities.
The Vice Chancellor cited the Zamfara lead-poisoning crisis as evidence of the dangers of weak environmental oversight.
Prof. Ortuanya urged government to strengthen environmental regulation, improve monitoring and enforcement, and ensure greater transparency in the management of mineral resources.
He advocated stronger community participation and effective implementation of Community Development Agreements to guarantee that host communities benefit from mining activities.
Prof Ortuanya further called for the formalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining through legal recognition, training, safer technologies and access to finance, noting that such measures would reduce environmental damage and improve accountability.
He stressed that universities have a critical role to play through research, innovation and policy support, and urged Nigeria to adopt a mining governance framework anchored on environmental responsibility, transparency, social inclusion and conflict management.
