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Why Nigeria Needs University Of Mining And Geosciences – Senator

Published

2 years ago

August 1, 2023

A bill in the National Assembly which seeks the upgrade of the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences (NIMG), Jos, to the status of a Federal University of Mining and Geosciences has passed the first reading.

Senator Diket Plang, representing Plateau Central who sponsored the bill says making the Institute a University would position the nation’s mining sector and ensure the diversification of Nigeria’s economy, deepen research on mineral exploration, exploitation and instill knowledge of many facets of mining resource management, including geosciences and engineering in citizens.

Plang who spoke in Jos noted that the conversion of NIMG to the status of a University is long overdue as many contemporary institutions established by the colonial masters, like the one in Ghana and India, have since been upgraded to the status of a University and added that having a University of Mining and Geosciences like other specialized Universities such as University of Agriculture, Petroleum University, the University of Education, the Marine University, and the University of Medical Sciences would be of benefits to the country.

He stated that the School of Mining in Ghana which is a twin brother to that of Jos, Nigeria is now the Ghana University of Mining and Technology, while that in Jos was just upgraded to an Institute in 2018.

His words, “It is like other specialized universities: we have such as the University of Agriculture to boost food production, the University of Transportation, the University of Education, and also the Army University, Airforce University because of the importance of Defense.

“But we don’t have a University that has to do with mineralogical research despite the abundance of Mineral resources in the country.

“Minerals and Technology go together; it will be bad for us not to study what God has given to us. If you are not taking advantage of what you are endowed with, you must be making a mistake.

” Therefore, we must deepen our knowledge and research into what God has given us; we would, at the end of the day, cheat ourselves if we don’t do this. That is why all sorts of foreign miners come to mine on our land with little knowledge.

“Nigeria needs a University of Mining and Geosciences, and already we have an Institute running diploma courses in this aspect with about three campuses with functional laboratories.
All that is required at the moment is to upgrade this Institute to a degree-awarding institution.

“The idea of the bill for the conversion of NIMG to the University of Mining and Geo-Sciences, Jos was conceived on this basis, coupled with the fact that Nigeria is blessed with abundant mineral resources.

“Most of the developed countries have Universities of Mining; so Nigeria cannot be an exception.”

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Trump’s Airstrikes: Halt Military Cooperation With US Immediately – Sheikh Gumi Tells Tinubu Govt

Published

6 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called on the Federal Government to immediately halt all military cooperation with the United States following reported US airstrikes.

Gumi warned that American involvement could worsen Nigeria’s security challenges and undermine national sovereignty.

Gumi made the call in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday.

He said while Islam permits the fight against terrorism, such actions should only be carried out by what he described as “clean hands,” arguing that the United States lacks the moral authority to lead such efforts because of its global military record.

According to the cleric, Nigeria made a mistake by allowing foreign powers to play a role in its counterterrorism operations, insisting that “terrorists do not truly fight terrorists” and that such interventions often result in civilian casualties and hidden political motives.

Gumi warned that allowing Nigeria to become a theatre of war would attract anti-US forces into the country, further destabilising it.

He also cautioned that US involvement, particularly under claims of protecting Christians, could polarise the country along religious lines.

The cleric further argued that airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism, stressing that effective counterterrorism requires strong ground operations, which he said Nigeria has enough personnel to carry out if properly organised.

“This is the mistake Nigeria has made. Terrorists don’t fight terrorists in truth; they may only kill innocent people and have ulterior motives behind the drama of fighting ‘terror’.

“As a principle, no nation should allow its land to be a theater of war. And no nation should allow its neighbors to be their enemies.

“If Nigeria wants military assistance, China, Turkey, and Pakistan can do the job effectively,” part of his statement reads.

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Shehu Sani Reacts To Trump’s Military Strikes In Nigeria

Published

7 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Former lawmaker, senator Shehu Sani, has reacted to reports of United States military strikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North-West, saying foreign powers cannot permanently handle the country’s security challenges.

Sani made the remarks on Friday via his X handle while responding to a post by the United States Africa Command, AFRICOM, which indicated that the strikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities.

According to him, if the reported strikes were indeed a joint operation with Nigerian security agencies, then such action was justifiable, given the threat posed by terrorist groups in the region.

He described terrorists operating in parts of northern Nigeria as “cancerous cells,” stressing that they survive through violence and should be confronted decisively.

Sani also dismissed narratives suggesting that terrorist attacks target only one religious group, describing such claims as false and misleading.

He said: “If actually, the military strikes against the terrorists targets in the North Western part of Nigeria were a joint operation with the ‘Nigerian Authorities’ as posted by the US AFRICOM on their verified X handle, then it’s a conscionable action.

“Terrorists have become cancerous cells in our part of the country.They live by the sword.The narrative that the evil terrorists only targets one faith, remains absolutely false and misleading.

“Again, the ultimate security and peace in our country lies with ourselves and not with the US or any foreign power. They can complimentarily or unilaterally strike, but they can’t eternally fight our battles.”