The recent announcement by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, regarding the exploration of deep seabed mining raises critical concerns about the priorities of our government. While the initiative aims to tap into the vast resources of the blue economy, it appears to be a misplaced focus that risks compromising our domestic mining sector.
As a miner with firsthand experience in the industry, I believe the government is overlooking significant opportunities to empower local miners and exhaust our landscape mining potential before venturing into more complex seabed mining. The reality is that many appointed aides in this administration seem to prioritize personal agendas over the national interest, often rewarded for their electoral support rather than their qualifications.
Before we rush into agreements with foreign entities for seabed mining, we must consider the wealth of resources we already have at our disposal. Rather than selling our rights to foreign companies, we should invest in local professionals and entrepreneurs who are eager to contribute to our economic growth.
Projects in the blue economy should instead focus on sustainable practices such as:
1. Sustainable Fisheries Management: Promoting responsible fishing practices to preserve our marine biodiversity.
2. Marine Tourism Development: Leveraging our beautiful coastlines to attract eco-tourism, generating jobs and local revenue.
3. Aquaculture Initiatives: Investing in sustainable fish farming to boost local food security and create employment.
4. Coastal Restoration Projects: Protecting and restoring mangroves and coral reefs to enhance resilience against climate change.
5. Marine Renewable Energy: Exploring offshore wind and wave energy to diversify our energy sources.
Additionally, we must harness the potential of our domestic investors. Here are ten reliable individuals in Nigeria who can significantly contribute to our mining and blue economy sectors:
1. Aliko Dangote – Business mogul with interests in various sectors, including mining.
2. Folorunsho Alakija – Renowned businesswoman with experience in diverse investments.
3. Mike Adenuga – Telecom giant and investor in various sectors.
4. Abdul Samad Rabiu – Prominent businessman with a focus on industrialization.
5. Tony Elumelu – Entrepreneur and philanthropist, known for supporting African businesses.
6. Adebayo Ogunlesi- Influential investor with a history of successful ventures.
7. Jim Ovia- Founder of Zenith Bank, with interests in different sectors.
8. Miriam Olusanya- Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank, with expertise in finance.
9. Segun Agbaje- CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank, committed to local development.
10. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji – Co-founder of Flutterwave, active in tech investments.
It is imperative that we reassess our priorities and focus on empowering our local industries rather than chaining ourselves to foreign entities. Let’s redirect our efforts toward rebuilding our lost glory through domestic investment and sustainable practices. The future of our economy depends on the choices we make today.
Dr. Tofunmi Ogunronbi
