First Lady calls for improved gender equity in mining sector

The First Lady of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has called for improved gender equity in the mining sector to unlock the country’s energy and natural resources for sustainable development.

Tinubu, who was represented by Hajiya Nana Shettima, Wife of the Vice-President, said this at an inaugural International Women Mining Conference in Abuja on Thursday.

The theme of the conference is “Empowering Women in the Mining Sector: Promoting Gender Equality, Economic Empowerment and Investment Opportunity”.

The first lady, who said that the conference was apt, said women in the mining sectors face range of challenges, including limited access to finance, technology and training, alongside research, social and cultural barriers.

“These challenges are not unique to women alone, with women comprised of the 6.8 per cent of the mining workforce,” she said.

She recalled that the Federal Government through the Ministry of Solid Minerals and Development had on April 30, 2024 developed a gender strategy for the mining and steel sector.

This, she added, demonstrated government’s commitment to ensuring that women prosper in traditionally male dominated fields.

“This strategy launched alongside the women in mining; Nigeria is state pioneer initiative to prosper diversity, empower women, and has productivity innovation and overall sustainability of the sector.

“This task is a significant step towards improving gender equity in the mining sector, and therefore encourages all women to rally around to key into the implementation of the road map, to key into the opportunities that lie ahead.

“It takes courage, patience and boldness to persevere in the male dominated field. Women also need to work together, support one another, and provide the necessary encouragement.

“They are also to create awareness to inspire more women to take advantage of the platform that is being provided.

“And aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu to unlock the energy and natural resources for sustainable development,” she said.

She therefore urged female miners to continue to strive and break barriers in the sector.

Also, Mr Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, said the theme of the conference was apt as there was urgent need to bridge the gap of gender equality in the sector.

Alake, who was represented by Dr Mary Ogbe, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, noted that for a long time women have faced challenges that limit their participation in the sector.

According to him, this is in form of unequal access to resources and funding to policy restrictions and social barriers.

“Today, we will take the bold steps to shape the narrative and ensure that women are not just part of the mining sector, but are also leaders and key decision makers.

“This conference therefore provides a crucial platform to showcase these achievements that address the challenges faced by women,” he said.

Alake said that women participation remained significantly critical driver of economic growth and also a necessity for sustainable development.

Also, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-brahim, Minister of Women Affairs, said the inequality in the mining sector is deeply troubling.

She said that women make up only 6.8 per cent of the mining workforce, with most of them in their small scale mining, reflecting marginalisation in ownership, financing and leadership within this sector.

“This is an economic inefficiency we can no longer afford. This sector, which contributes an estimated seven per cent in GDP, has the potential to drive massive job creation and industrialisation.

“However, we cannot achieve its full potential if women remain underrepresented and underserved.

“Women in this sector are already illustrating resilience, but their resilience needs to be backed by deliberate policies, targeted investment and structured support systems,.

“We must ensure that women have equal access to capital, technology and market opportunities to transition from informal sector into the leadership role.”

According to her, this means enforcing gender responsive policies, integrating women into mineral value chains and creating safer and more equitable workplace.

She expressed her ministry’s commitment to supporting and promoting women with great inclusion in all levels of the Nigerian mind.