Alake Urges OAU to Develop Mining Excellence Center

Dr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, addressed a delegation from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) led by Professor Ralph Akinfeleye, urging the institution to utilize its mineral and intellectual resources to create a world-class mining excellence center. Alake highlighted that the commercial value of OAU's minerals could significantly reduce government funding reliance.

He encouraged the university to pursue private-sector partnerships to unlock its mineral assets' potential, suggesting joint ventures that would allow the university to earn revenue while providing consultancy through its experts. Alake also discussed the federal government's restructuring of Nigeria's bitumen resources, emphasizing that land ownership does not equate to ownership of the minerals beneath it, which are federally controlled.

He commended OAU for its contributions to training professionals in the mining sector and urged the institution to enhance its role in mineral exploration, research, and commercialization, stressing the need to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.