The Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG) on Thursday inducted and presented certificates to 259 mining engineers and geoscientists at its 15th induction/oath-taking ceremony and entrepreneurship workshop in Abuja.
Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, charged the inductees to act as change agents in driving Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda through professionalism, ethics, and innovation.
The minister, who was represented by Faruk Yusuf Yabo, permanent secretary of the ministry, said the solid minerals sector remains a strategic pillar of the federal government’s economic reform programme under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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He noted that the ministry’s seven-point agenda places strong emphasis on institution building, skills development, entrepreneurship, and ethical regulation.
Alake said COMEG plays a critical role not just as a regulator but also as a key implementation partner in enforcing standards, curbing illegal mining, and strengthening investor confidence.
He disclosed that the ministry is building a transparent and fully digital mining ecosystem to improve compliance and reduce delays.
According to him, alignment with platforms such as the electronic mining cadastre and decision-support systems is already transforming sector governance.
Alake said the mandatory geo-entrepreneurship training introduced by COMEG is timely, as Nigeria needs professionals who understand geology, mining, processing, and global supply chains.
He also stressed the importance of ethics and discipline, saying revised enforcement frameworks would ensure zero tolerance for illegal mining, environmental violations, and professional misconduct.
On sector performance, he revealed that in 2025 alone, the ministry issued over 867 new mining licences. He added that sector revenue has risen from about ₦5 billion to over ₦50 billion.
The minister said nationwide geological surveys and exploration activities have also expanded, with increased presidential funding support.
He urged the inductees to embrace technology, prioritise safety and environmental standards, mentor younger professionals, and uphold the national interest.
Earlier, Zachaeus Opafunso, registrar and chief executive officer of COMEG, said the 2025 induction combined professional registration with mandatory entrepreneurship training aimed at better preparing members for the job market.
Opafunso acknowledged the strong support of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in strengthening professional regulation and capacity building.
He said COMEG is working to formalise artisanal mining, promote cooperative models, and align Nigerian practice with global standards.
In her remarks, Rose Ndong, president of the Nigerian Mining and Geoscientists Society (NMGS), commended COMEG for sustaining professionalism and ethical practice in the sector.
She told the inductees that their registration represents a call to national service, responsibility, and stewardship for future generations.
Ndong said collaboration among professional bodies, government, and industry is key to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s mining sector.
Speaking at the event, Olusegun Ige, director-general of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), described COMEG as a critical partner in strengthening data quality, investor confidence, and responsible mineral development.
Ige said skilled and ethical mining engineers and geoscientists are central to resource discovery, value addition, job creation, and sustainable development.
He pledged continued collaboration between NGSA and COMEG through data sharing, research, and capacity building.
The event featured the formal induction of new professionals into the regulated mining and geoscience community, alongside a geo-entrepreneurship training workshop aimed at strengthening local content and sector productivity.
