Alake vows women participation in mining

The minister of solid minerals development, Dr. Dele Alake, has promised to ensure that women do not remain at the back seats, but are leaders and key decision-makers in the on-going transformation in the sector. 

The minister said this Thursday in Abuja during the first International Mining Women Conference with the theme, ‘Empowering Women in the Mining Sector: Promoting Gender Equality, Economic Empowerment and Investment Opportunities’. 

The minister, who was represented by the permanent secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Mary Ogbe, said women had the potential to drive national and global economic growth. 

He said it was imperative that an enabling environment be created to support female entrepreneurs, professionals and investors in the mining and metal industries, adding that “women can bring unique perspectives, skills and leadership styles that will enhance productivity, social and environmental sustainability in the mining industry.” 

Alake said the theme of the Conference “speaks directly to the urgent need to bridge the gender gap in the solid mineral sector,” adding that “women for a long time have faced systemic challenges that limited their full participation in mining which range from non access to funding to policy restrictions and social barriers.” 

“We will take a bold step to reshape the narrative and ensure that women are not just part of the mining sector, but are also leaders and key decision makers in this transformation,” he said. 

In her contribution, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, urged women to take advantage of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by working together to inspire more women to take advantage of the mining industry in order to better their lives. 

Mrs. Tinubu, who was represented by the wife of the vice-president, Hajiya Nana Shettima, also encouraged women in the country to rally around and key into the implementation road map and the opportunities that lie ahead. 

“Women belong to every industry and buying and mining is not an exception. Continue to dig deep, break barriers and let your strengths shape the future,” she said. 

Also speaking, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, described the inequalities in the mining sector as “deeply troubling,” noting that the “6.8% women that make up the mining workforce are mostly engaged in artisanal and small-scale mining.”