Kwara State Partners with UNILORIN and KWASU to Boost Mineral Sector Development
The Kwara State Government has partnered with Kwara State University (KWASU) and the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) to develop the state's metals and minerals sector.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with Kwara State University (KWASU) and the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) to enhance the development of the state’s metals and minerals sector. This initiative was announced by the Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Afeez Abolore Alabi, during his visits to the campuses of both universities.
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Speaking at the Department of Geology and Minerals Sciences at KWASU, Dr. Alabi emphasized the importance of academic support in leveraging past research to bolster the state’s efforts in repositioning the solid minerals sector. He highlighted the need for a synergistic approach to create a sustainable roadmap for the sector's growth.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor of KWASU, Professor Sheikh Lukman Jimoh, represented by the university’s Librarian, Professor Abdulsalam Abiodun Salman, praised the commissioner's initiative. He acknowledged that the collaboration would significantly contribute to the socio-economic development of Kwara State and enhance its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Dr. Ajadi Jimoh, Head of the Department of Geology and Minerals Sciences at KWASU, shared his extensive field experience and proposed necessary policies and regulations for the government to adopt. He expressed the department’s readiness to collaborate with the government and suggested the formation of a think-tank to drive the anticipated growth and development in the mining sector.
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At the University of Ilorin, the Head of the Geology Department, Professor Olabisi Adekeye, highlighted Kwara State's rich mineral resources and their potential for substantial revenue generation if properly harnessed. He expressed the institution’s eagerness to work with the state government to advance the solid minerals sector.
Professor Olusegun Ige also commended the government's proactive approach and the appointment of Dr. Alabi, a dynamic academic, as Commissioner. He pointed out the widespread availability of mineral deposits across Kwara’s 16 Local Government Areas and urged the government to maximize these resources for economic benefits.
The Director of Geological Services, Mr. Kunle Adimula, expressed gratitude for the warm reception from both institutions. He reiterated the ministry's ongoing efforts to establish legal frameworks to support mining operations, ensuring that these efforts will soon produce the desired outcomes.
