Dr. Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, has committed to ensuring that women play a central role in the transformation of the country’s mining sector. Speaking at the first International Mining Women Conference in Abuja, he emphasised the need for women to not only participate but lead and make key decisions within the sector.
The conference, themed “Empowering Women In The Mining Sector: Promoting Gender Equality, Economic Empowerment and Investment Opportunities,” was an important platform to highlight the vital role women can play in mining. Alake, represented by Dr. Mary Ogbe, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, noted that while women have historically faced systemic barriers to full participation in the sector, they have the potential to drive both national and global economic growth when given the right opportunities.
The Minister emphasized that mining is crucial to economic development, and increasing female involvement is vital for ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth. Women, he said, offer unique perspectives, skills, and leadership styles that can significantly enhance productivity, social sustainability, and environmental responsibility in mining operations. He also pointed out that women have long been hindered by barriers such as lack of access to funding, policy restrictions, and societal limitations, but promised bold steps would be taken to reshape the narrative.
Alake praised the organizers of the conference for providing a crucial platform to showcase women’s achievements in the sector, address the challenges they face, and foster partnerships to support their increased participation.
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who was represented by Hajiya Nana Shettima, wife of the Vice President, encouraged women to embrace opportunities within the mining industry, highlighting that the sector offers potential for growth and prosperity in a traditionally male-dominated field. She urged women to work together, break barriers, and leverage the Renewed Hope Agenda to further their involvement in the industry.
Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, expressed concerns over the low representation of women in the mining workforce, noting that they make up just 6.8% of the sector, with most working in artisanal and small-scale mining. She emphasized that this inequality is an economic inefficiency and that deliberate policies must be introduced to empower women and unlock the full potential of the mining sector.
Hon. Jonathan Gazza Gbefwi, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals, echoed the need for gender inclusion in mining, noting that promoting women’s involvement in artisanal mining and mining techniques aligns with best global practices.
Miss Nesir L. Mola, the Deputy Representative of the UN Women in Nigeria, pointed out that diverse companies experience higher levels of innovation and operational efficiency, underscoring the importance of gender-responsive mining as a way to attract more investment to the sector.
Conference organizer Ngozichi Okorie called for greater coordination among women to avoid isolation and fragmentation within the sector. She stated that working collaboratively and investing in women-owned businesses is essential to breaking the barriers of gender inequality in mining.
