The University of Jos is playing host to a two-day capacity-building workshop for miners in Plateau State organised by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund and the University of Jos. It has the theme of, “Safety, Sustainability, and Community Development in Mining”.
Speaking at the Thursday opening ceremony, the organisers called on stakeholders in the mining sector to embrace modern mining practices as a way to reduce insecurity in the sector.
In his welcome remarks, the Executive Secretary of PTDF, Ahmed Galadima said adherence to international standards and best practices can significantly reduce insecurity issues in mining communities.
Over 250 miners are participating in the two -day training programme currently going on at the University of Jos.
“While security is a broader issue, PTDF’s role is to ensure miners are trained on best practices and safety standards. Once the standards and best practices are followed, many of the insecurity issues will be reduced,” Galadima said
Represented by the Deputy General Manager, Projects, of the PTDF, Paul Ohabuike, the Executive Secretary underscored PTDF’s commitment to promoting safety and sustainability in the sector – pointing out that the programme falls under the agency’s research and innovation mandate.
“At the end of this training, we expect miners to adopt safety practices, adhere to standards, improve environmental management, and enhance the ecosystem and livelihoods where mining takes place,” he said.
Vice Chancellor of UNIJOS, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, who was represented by Prof. Samuel Odey, said the programme demonstrated academia’s role in addressing national challenges through collaboration.
He noted that the Middle Belt region is rich not only in mineral resources but also in human potential, and called for education and research to drive inclusive development and safer mining practices.
“Today’s gathering reflects the power of collaboration between academia, industry, government, and grassroots communities” he said.
“The University of Jos is honored to host this important workshop on sustainable and responsible mining for community empowerment. This initiative strongly aligns with our commitment to knowledge-driven solutions that improve lives and protect our environment,” he stated.
Chairman of the UNIJOS PTDF Professorial Chair in Geology and Mineral Science, Prof. Nuhu Samaila, said the workshop was timely due to ongoing concerns over environmental degradation, unsafe practices, and tensions linked to artisanal mining.
According to him, the workshop would foster dialogue between miners, scientists, and policymakers, with a focus on health and safety, mercury-free processing, cooperative development, and waste management.
“Mining is not just an occupation; it is a lifeline for thousands of families. Yet, the benefits can only be fully realised when we balance economic gains with environmental stewardship and social responsibility,” he said.
Chairman of Miners Association of Nigeria, Plateau State Chapter, represented by Johnson Nwosu, and the Plateau state Commissioner for Environment, Climate Change, and Minerals, Peter Gwom, highlighted challenges and policy gaps in the sector.
Nwosu listed miners’ grievances, including harassment, multiple taxes, revoked licenses, and high interest rates. He called for single-window licensing, transparent revenue audits, micro-licensing for artisanal miners, and a dedicated mining security task force.
The Commissioner admitted that regulatory inconsistencies persist but urged miners to operate within the law.
He stressed the need to enforce existing regulations rather than create new ones and disclosed that the state government had recently approved the continuation of over 40 abandoned mining projects across local government areas to curb illegal mining and support economic recovery.
