The Nigerian government has suspended mining activities within the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) campus and the OAU Teaching Hospital complex in Ile-Ife, Osun indefinitely.
This is pending investigations into suspected illegal mining activities in the area.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, announced the suspension shortly after meeting with the OAU management, led by the vice-chancellor, Adebayo Bamire, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) had called for investigations into reports of illegal mining activities at OAU.
The president of the NANS Senate, Segun Elvis, said that the activities posed a significant threat to the safety and well-being of the institution`s students and staff.
Similarly, the National Association of University Students, OAU chapter, condemned the development and called for appropriate actions by relevant authorities to address the situation.
In response, the school management submitted a formal complaint to the relevant government authorities for prompt action.
The minister in a statement issued on Tuesday stated that unregulated mining operations have caused devastating impacts on the environment.
The statement reads: “Following the outcry generated by reports of illegal mining or suspicion of nefarious activities by mining operators within OAU, we immediately deployed officials of the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency and Mines Inspectorate for on-the-spot assessment.
”Preliminary reports that reached me indicated that there were indeed some activities around the premises. The ministry then stopped all activities, whether legal or illegal, for further investigation
Alake revealed that upon summoning some operators discovered to be carrying out illegal activities, they presented some licenses and letters of consent which necessitated further investigations to ascertain its authenticity, hence the imperative of inviting the university authorities for a parley.
“We have had a very fruitful meeting, and a lot of facts have come out of it. Based on the outcome of the meeting, I announce the indefinite suspension, with immediate effect, of all mining activities within the premises of the University, the University teaching hospital and in fact around the area and boundaries of the university, until the conclusion of thorough investigations”, the Minister added.
In his address, The vice-chancellor expressed gratitude to the Minister for the audience, highlighting the capacity of the university to play an active role in exploration, research, and other sectors of the mining value chain.
“We have some of the best geologists and mining professionals in the country. We feel that we need to set up a sort of excellent research and training facility on mineral resources within the university.
If we can get that in the university, it will help us, support the university community, the state, and ultimately contribute to the development of the mining sector”
Prof Bamire added that OAU has some of the best geologists and mining professionals in the country, capable of handling exploration, research, and other activities of the mining value chain.
