The Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Matthew Adepoju, has emphasized Nigeria’s vast potential for economic growth through the strategic exploration of its abundant mineral resources, buried beneath the nation’s soil.

He made this known at the inauguration of a Joint Technical Committee comprising NASRDA and the Federal Ministry of Steel Development, held at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

Dr. Adepoju stated that virtually every part of Nigeria holds one valuable mineral or another and called for a renewed sense of urgency in harnessing these resources for national development.

He described the Ministry of Steel Development as one with the capacity to define Nigeria’s future, stressing that its contributions to industrial advancement and economic transformation are both significant and far-reaching.

The Director General pointed out that the committee’s scope should go beyond terrestrial mining to include exploration beneath Nigeria’s inland and offshore waters, which remain largely unexplored.

Dr. Adepoju noted that space-based technologies have a critical role to play in advancing mineral exploration efforts.

He explained that such technologies can support discovery efforts across the country, from sea level to the most remote areas, delivering important benefits to trade and industrial growth.

Commending the Minister of Steel Development for his vision, Dr. Adepoju noted that the committee was established with a clear sense of purpose and that its members have pledged their full commitment to achieving long-term results for the benefit of all Nigerians.

He explained that the task before the committee is to function as a cohesive unit made up of experts from the Ministry of Steel Development and professionals from NASRDA, with a mandate to deliver practical strategies for mineral development.

Dr. Adepoju added that the committee is working with a strict timeline and is expected to deliver a costed action plan, a practical implementation strategy, and a sustainable funding model.

The NASRDA Boss affirmed that the Agency would provide technical expertise in the exploration of iron ore and related alloys to strengthen Nigeria’s raw material supply and support industrial efforts such as the Ajaokuta Steel Company.

In his remarks, the leader of the delegation from the Ministry of Steel Development, who also serves as the Director General of the National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency, Engr. Kola Ogunbiyi, acknowledged NASRDA’s vital technological capacity to support the Ministry’s repositioning efforts.

He noted NASRDA’s ability to detect, locate, and assess the economic potential of key raw materials essential to the Ajaokuta Steel Company, including iron ore, limestone, and coking coal.

Engr. Ogunbiyi added that the Ministry would do everything within its capacity to support and uphold the partnership in ways that deliver mutual benefits to Nigerians.

Below are pictures from the meeting for your viewing pleasure.

Written By: Chado Joel
Editor: Ninma Yacim
Media and Corporate Communications