Nigeria and Australia are collaborating to tackle the skills shortage in the mining industry. Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, announced this partnership through a statement from his media assistant, Segun Tomori, on Sunday in Abuja.
A significant achievement of this collaboration is the recent launch of a two-week pilot training programme for the inaugural group of 11 Nigerian mining professionals at Murdoch University in Australia. Alake explained that this initiative, supported by the Commonwealth Government, aims to fill skill gaps within the mining sector while enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries.
Reflecting on the partnership, he noted that it embodies a vision that was conceived less than two years ago. The training encompasses various subjects including extractive metallurgy, sustainable geochemistry, and mineral science research. Participants will also engage in field trips and interact with industry experts to examine mining trends, investment prospects, and sustainability challenges.
Alake expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Leilani Bin-Juda, for their support in realising this vision. He also thanked the Vice-Chancellor and faculty of Murdoch University for their warm welcome. “Establishing a collaborative relationship with a leading mining nation like Australia is vital for strengthening our bilateral ties and fostering mutually beneficial development in our mining sectors,” he stated.
He urged participants to act as exemplary ambassadors for Nigeria, leveraging their training to enhance the nation’s technical capabilities and contribute to informed policy development and execution. During the 2023 Africa Down Under (ADU) Conference in Perth, Alake signed a bilateral agreement with the Government of Western Australia, facilitated by the Australian Ministry of Mines and Petroleum and Murdoch University, aimed at enhancing the expertise of Nigerian mining professionals.
