AT SIREXE CONFERENCE: Nigeria Canvasses For Transparency In Africa’s Extractive Industries

*** Our strengthened governance institutions will turn resource wealth into national prosperity – VP Shettima

By: Our Reporter

Nigeria has demanded strengthened governance, transparency, and collaboration from leaders and industry players to harness Africa’s resource wealth for sustainable development.

The Nigerian government also reaffirmed its commitment to creating an inclusive extractive industry anchored on the principles of transparency, regional partnerships, and local capacity building.

Vice President Kashim Shettima stated the nation’s position on Wednesday during the inaugural International Exhibition of Extractive and Energy Resources (Salon International des Ressources Extractives et Energétiques – SIREXE) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

He noted that effective institutions are the cornerstone of turning natural resources into national prosperity.

The summit with the theme, “Policies and Strategies for the Sustainable Development of the Extractive and Energy Industries,” brought together leaders from across Africa to discuss innovative solutions for resource management and energy security.

According to the Vice President, “this is not just about resources; it’s about people, prosperity, and posterity.

“The strength of our governance institutions will determine whether resource wealth becomes a blessing or a curse. With the right policies, transparency, and accountability, we can ensure that our mineral wealth fuels development rather than division,” he pointed out.

Vice President Shettima noted Nigeria’s leadership in transparency reforms with the creation of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) in 2004.

“We became the first country in the world to domesticate the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative because we understood that opacity breeds inefficiency and corruption. Transparency is non-negotiable for building trust and ensuring inclusive benefits for all”.

Senator Shettima also stressed the importance of regional cooperation in addressing shared challenges, saying, “Africa’s energy future is intertwined. The progress of one state ripples across others. Nigeria stands ready to share its lessons and collaborate with ECOWAS partners to build an extractive industry that works for our people.”

The VP described how restructuring the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 into a commercially-oriented entity has transformed the sector.

“NNPC Limited now operates with agility, transparency, and reduced government interference. This shift is setting a new standard for resource governance in Africa,” he explained.

The Vice President reiterated the critical role of local content development in driving economic growth, just as he he noted: “Through our Local Content Act of 2010, we increased local participation in the oil and gas industry from 5% to nearly 30%.

“The success of projects like the Dangote Refinery, the world’s largest single-train refinery, showcases what is possible when we prioritise indigenous capacity and innovation.”

Acknowledging the challenges posed by vested interests and conflicts in resource-rich regions, Shettima said, “We cannot afford to allow cartels and instability to jeopardize our aspirations. That’s why Nigeria is investing in specialized policing frameworks to secure mining sites and ensure sustainable growth.

“Our continent is home to 40% of the world’s gold, 10% of its oil, and critical minerals like cobalt and lithium. Yet, our potential remains untapped. Let us rise to this moment, not as isolated nations but as a unified region,” he added.

In his remarks, the Vice President of Côte d’Ivoire, Mr. Tremoko Meyliet Kone, expressed his appreciation for the visit of Vice President Shettima and others who came from different countries for the event.

He highlighted the benefits of collaboration among countries and stakeholders in the energy and extractive industries, including cross-breeding of ideas, job creation, and greater maximization of natural resources for the well-being of citizens.

While cautioning against pollution, climate degradation, and associated factors, especially in the mining sector, he said Côte d’Ivoire is doing its best to reduce emissions of environmental pollution.

In his welcoming remarks, the Minister of Mines, Petroleum, and Energy, Mr. Mamadou Sangafowa Coulibaly, extended appreciation to VP Shettima, said the Vice President was the guest of honor at the event, and thanked all participants at the conference.

According to him, “there is a need for collaboration and partnership in the sector to meet the global energy needs of people and for economic development of nations.”

Mr. Coulibaly said the participation of other countries and stakeholders in this first edition of the conference is a sign of cooperation and collaboration to better develop the sector globally.

He said the conference has provided participants an avenue to interact and propose solutions to the challenges and risks involved and how best they can serve the people.

Earlier, the Ambassador of Norway to Côte d’Ivoire, Her Excellency Madam Ingrid Mollestad, said, “The conference was a testament to the nation’s ambition and dedication to enhancing its position as a champion in this industry and to navigate the intricacies and the changing global landscape.”

She noted that the gathering is to partner as nations and professionals to investigate sustainable development in the industry that is essential to the global economy and for collaboration, innovation, and shared values.

AT SIREXE CONFERENCE: Nigeria Canvasses For Transparency In Africa’s Extractive Industries

Governor Buni Approves N70, 000 Minimum Wage

By: Our Reporter

The Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON has approved the payment of N70, 000 minimum wage to state civil servants with effect from December 2024.

This is contained in a memo signed by His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, following recommendations by the committee on Minimum wage constituted by the state government.

The committee had recommended for a reconciliation of local government finances to ensure a hitch free transition process of the local government councils from the existing salary structure to the new minimum wage.

The reconciliation process which is nearing completion is expected to be concluded soon for approval, and quick enrolment of the local government employees into the new minimum wage salary structure.

The Government expects civil servants in the state to reciprocate the gesture by putting in their best to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.

Governor Buni Approves N70, 000 Minimum Wage

AT SIR AHMADU BELLO FORUM: North’s Development Central To Nigeria’s Prosperity, President Tinubu Declares

*** Targets tech, agric, creative sectors in region’s youth development plan

By: Our Reporter

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared on Tuesday that the development of Northern Nigeria remains fundamental to the nation’s prosperity.

Accordingly, the President unveiled a comprehensive youth development strategy spanning multiple key sectors to drive Nigeria’s economic transformation.

Speaking during a Stakeholders Roundtable on Northern Youth Development organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Abuja, President Tinubu who was represented by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, invoked the legacy of the late Sardauna of Sokoto and former Premier of Northern Nigeria.

“The late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, was one of the towering giants on whose shoulders we have ascended as a nation. His vision was clear: the North cannot progress in isolation, and Nigeria cannot prosper unless every part of this nation thrives,” he said.

The President warned that “whatever disrupts the growth of one region sets back the entire nation.

“For far too long, we have been taunted as a nation with the most children out of school—a reality that should not elicit pride but provoke urgent action. This alarming statistic has turned the promise of our population into a challenge rather than the dividend it ought to be,” he added.

President Tinubu reechoed his administration’s pioneering youth development initiatives, including the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme and the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters.

“Our creative and digital economy is another goldmine,” the President said, outlining programmes such as the Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA), Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA), and the National Youth Talent Export Programme (NATEP).

He listed other programmes to include the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for higher education access, Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) for digital entrepreneurship, the Outsource to Nigeria Initiative (OTNI) for global market participation, Youth Enterprise Clusters for business development, and the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme to address accommodation needs.

On agriculture, President Tinubu emphasised the North’s strategic importance, saying, “Investments in agriculture and industrialisation will further position the North as Nigeria’s foremost agricultural hub.”

The President also announced plans for a National Youth Development Bank and a Youth Data Bank, describing them as crucial tools for “providing financial and informational support” to young Nigerians.

Addressing the region’s security challenges, President Tinubu further outlined measures “to restore stability to the North,” including “strengthening community policing, rehabilitating displaced persons, and addressing cross-border challenges like smuggling and insurgency.”

With Nigeria projected to become the world’s third-largest nation by 2050, he emphasised the urgency of the moment, just as he said, “By 2050, Nigeria will become the third-largest nation globally, with three-quarters of our citizens under the age of 21.

“Our challenge here is to engineer a transition towards a federation defined by order, stability, and safety,” he added, noting that “this task is both urgent and achievable.”

The President also made a direct challenge to young Nigerians: “You are not just the future of this nation—you are its present. Your energy, ideas, and determination are already shaping our policies and programmes.”

He also emphasised the role of local government autonomy, stating that “for the dividends of democracy to reach every corner of our nation, we must empower local governments to serve as active pipelines of governance.

“Our commitment is to provide you with the skill set and opportunities to thrive in a competitive world,” President Tinubu further assured.

He added that the administration’s promise is “to unlock the potential of the Nigerian youth, ensuring that their dreams transform Nigeria into an enduring symbol of democracy, development, and progress.”

Earlier, former Governor of Niger State and Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, noted that the event marked the Foundation’s 15th anniversary.

He said, “The youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the driving force of our present and our future. Addressing their concerns is paramount to the stability and progress of our society.”

Dr Aliyu urged the government to take the recommendations from the discussions seriously for the progress and well-being of Northern Nigeria.

“It is imperative that we approach these discussions with open minds and a collaborative spirit, recognizing that the solutions we seek will require collective effort,” Aliyu added.

Also, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar II, emphasised the critical role of youth education in national development.

The Sultan said, “Our youths are the foundation of any development we envisage in our society. They are not just leaders of tomorrow but leaders of today.”

The royal father further highlighted the importance of continuous dialogue with the youth, stating that “forums like this must be held continuously to dialogue with our youths across the northern states.”

He emphasised the primacy of education, asserting that “education is the strongest legacy any leader can leave to society.

“Without education, you are a nobody. I believe in infrastructural development like roads and bridges but more money should be spent educating our children,” he maintained.

Urging the government to prioritise education, the Sultan said, “We must ensure that our children are educated. Education must be at the top of the priority of government.

“In Islam, if you don’t even know how to pray and how to worship Allah; if you are an illiterate person, you cannot worship Allah, that is why education is very important. That is why we need to dwell more on how we can ensure that our children are educated.”

AT SIR AHMADU BELLO FORUM: North’s Development Central To Nigeria’s Prosperity, President Tinubu Declares