President of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), Ms Rose Chundung Ndong, has called for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s mineral wealth.
She made the call in Abuja on Friday during her installation as the 33rd President of the NMGS, saying her tenure would focus on practical measures to reposition the mineral sector for growth.
Present at the installation ceremony held at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Continetal Hotel, were local and foreign dignitaries including the Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang; the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba; former of Plateau State, Simon Lalong; Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms Leilani Bin-Juda and past and present officials of the NMGS.
“My tenure, by God’s grace, will be marked by innovation and progress,” Ms Ndong said. “We will actively mitigate the impact of climate change through technical and environmental expertise. These are not abstract ideals. They are urgent strategies at the heart of the NMGS mandate.”
She promised that the NMGS would review its operations over the last decade with a view to enhance productivity in both the minerals and renewable sectors.
She also promised to complete the organisation’s national secretariat at Abuja. “We appeal to well-meaning individuals and organisayions to support the initiative,” she said.
Plateau State governor Muftwang decribed the emergence of Ndong as president of the NMGS as a significant milestone in the transformation of Nigeria’s mining sector, adding that her rise to leadership is a testament to dedication, meritorious service and excellence.
He further commended the NGMS president for her contributions to the development of the solid minerals sector, especially in Plateau State where solid remains key to the state’s economic fortunes.
“In the first republic, mineral resources like tin and columbite significantly contributed to national development,” he said. “Unfortunately, with the advent of oil, mining took a back seat. It is time to reposition the sector. We are optimistic that under the Ms Ndong’s leadership, Nigeria will transition frommmere mineral exploration to actual mineral production, yielding tangible economic impact.”
The governor also stated that his administration has taken several tangible steps to address some of the challenges facing the sector in Plateau State as a way to sustain the state’s economic growth.
“The presence of the Australian High Commissioner here is significant. Australian is one of the world’s mining giants. It is time we stopped exporting raw minerals and start adding value locally. This is the only way we can grow our economy and create wealth for our people,” the governor said.
Speaking more broadly, Mutfwang said the installation of Ms Ndong as the NMGS national president is another affirmation that women are as capable of leading public institutions as their male counterparts. He also reiterated his commitment to gender inclusion, saying women hold important positions in his government.
“Her ascension to this enviable position is proof that investing in the girl child yields great dividends,” Mutfwang said. “The narrative in Africa is shifting. The belief that only the boy child deserves education is fast eroding. Ms Rose Ndong’s achievements affirm that women can reach the peak of any career when given the opportunity.”
Ms Ndong graduated from the University of Jos with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and Mining, before proceeding to obtain a Master of Science degree in Hydro and Engineering Geology from the University of Benin, Edo State of Nigeria. She obtained an Executive Master of Public Administration from Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in Syracuse University, NY, USA, where she also obtained certificates in Advanced Study in Conflict Resolution, and in E- Government, Management and Leadership. She also attended and obtained Leadership and Management training from the London Royal Institute of Public Administration, United Kingdom.
She began her public career in 1988 at the Geological Survey Department, Benin City in the then Ministry of Mines and Power, and subsequently Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. In 2005, she was appointed Managing Director/CEO, Nigerian Mining Corporation (NMC), Jos, the office she held until 2014. During this stint, she was also appointed pioneer Provost, Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences (NIMG), Jos, where she set up and worked for two years.
On her return to Nigeria in 2017, Ms. Ndong became saddled with the task of setting up the Investment Promotion and Mineral Trade Department, as pioneer Director, under the rebranded Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD). She subsequently went on in 2019, to open a department of Geoscience Planning & ICT, in the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) as pioneer director, where she served until her recent appointment.
Ms. Ndong is a Fellow of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), and a registered member of the Council of Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG).
