The Federal Government is taking significant steps to ensure the protection and security of Nigeria’s natural resources. In line with the Presidential mandate, a presidential inter-ministerial committee recently conducted an expanded meeting with service chiefs. The purpose of the meeting, chaired by Dr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, was to gather inputs from various stakeholders to formulate a viable strategy for safeguarding the country’s natural resources.
The establishment of the inter-ministerial committee was announced by President Bola Tinubu during last week’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting. The committee is tasked with developing a comprehensive blueprint for the protection of Nigeria’s solid minerals, forests, and marine economy. Following its inaugural meeting, the committee convened once again, this time engaging with the country’s security chiefs.
Dr. Alake, during his address, emphasized that the meeting with the service chiefs built upon the discussions held during the previous session. He stated, Today, we have deliberated exhaustively. We have covered all the issues, all the grounds. Certain decisions have been made, and there is going to be another follow-up meeting because the security agencies are going to give us the framework of execution of our mandate. He further added that a smaller committee comprising the security agencies, service chiefs, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) will be formed to develop a work plan and execution modalities. This smaller committee is set to reconvene in two weeks’ time.
The federal government’s stance on the recent tragic Ibadan explosion was also reiterated during the meeting. Dr. Alake emphasized that action will be taken based on the findings of the ongoing forensic investigations being carried out by the security agencies.
In attendance at the meeting were several government ministers, including Balarabe Abass Lawal (Minister of Environment), Gboyega Oyetola (Minister of Marine and Blue Economy), Abubakar Badaru (Defence Minister), Hon. Tunji Olubunmi-Ojo (Interior Minister), and Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim (State Minister of Police Affairs). The security agencies were represented by Kayode Egbetokun (Inspector-General of Police), Dr. Ahmed Audi (Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps), Air-Vice Marshal Abdulkadir Abubakar, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas (representatives of Chief of Air Staff and Chief of Naval Staff, respectively), among others.
The efforts of the Federal Government to secure Nigeria’s natural resources are of paramount importance. With the establishment of the inter-ministerial committee and its engagement with the service chiefs, a coordinated and strategic approach is being developed. By prioritizing the protection of solid minerals, forests, and the marine economy, the government aims to ensure the sustainable use and preservation of these valuable resources for the benefit of future generations.
