Mining Activities Suspended at OAU Amid Investigations
Dr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, has ordered an indefinite suspension of mining activities at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and its teaching hospital due to suspected illegal mining.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
Dr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, has ordered an indefinite suspension of mining activities at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), OAU Teaching Hospital, and surrounding areas. This decision comes following complaints from students and residents about suspected illegal mining impacting economic activities and the environment.
The directive was announced after a meeting between Dr. Alake, OAU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Adebayo Bamire, and Prof. John Okeniyi, the Chief Medical Director of OAUTHC, at the ministry headquarters in Abuja.
The suspension follows reports of illegal mining activities in the area, prompting the Ministry to deploy officials from the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency and Mines Inspectorate for an on-the-spot assessment. Preliminary findings confirmed the presence of mining activities near the university premises, leading to the immediate suspension of all mining operations, legal or illegal, for further investigations.
Dr. Alake disclosed that some operators involved in the illegal activities presented licenses and consent letters, which raised concerns about their authenticity, necessitating the involvement of university authorities in the ongoing probe.
"We have had a very fruitful meeting, and a lot of facts have come out of it. Based on the outcome, I announce the indefinite suspension, with immediate effect, of all mining activities within the university premises and surrounding areas until the conclusion of thorough investigations," Dr. Alake stated.
During the meeting, OAU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Bamire emphasized the university's potential to contribute significantly to the exploration, research, and development of the mining sector. He highlighted the university's expertise in geology and mining and expressed the need to establish a research and training facility on mineral resources within the university.
"We have some of the best geologists and mining professionals in the country. Setting up an excellent research and training facility on mineral resources will support the university community, the state, and contribute to the development of the mining sector," Prof. Bamire said.
The Vice-Chancellor also revealed the university's application for an exploration license, expressing optimism about the anticipated approval. This would enable OAU to conduct exploration and discover the distribution and quality of mineral resources within the university environs and across the country.
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With the indefinite suspension of mining activities, the focus now shifts to the ongoing investigations and the steps the university will take to contribute positively to the mining sector. As stakeholders await the outcome of the probe, the decision underscores the importance of regulating mining activities to protect the environment and ensure sustainable economic development.
