By Sani Adamu Musa
The Bauchi State Government has inaugurated a Central Working Committee to spearhead the establishment of the Mining Institute, Alkaleri, Bauchi State (MIABAS), envisioned to be the state’s first specialised institution dedicated to mining development and technical capacity-building.
Performing the inauguration, the Commissioner for Natural Resources Development, Mohammed Maiwada Bello, commended Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for what he described as a bold and visionary step toward transforming the state’s mineral sector.
He explained that the proposed Mining Institute is designed to serve as a legacy centre for professional training, research, innovation and technical excellence across the mining value chain. According to him, Bauchi State’s abundant mineral deposits make it imperative to equip citizens with modern skills in exploration, extraction, processing and environmental management.
Maiwada Bello noted that MIABAS is expected to bridge critical knowledge gaps, promote local content development and create opportunities for youth employment and sustainable economic growth.
The Commissioner added that the Central Working Committee comprises seasoned professionals, academics, technocrats and sector specialists drawn from strategic ministries, departments and agencies as well as leading institutions within and outside the state.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ibrahim Sulaiman Mato, described the inauguration as a major milestone toward unlocking the full potential of Bauchi’s mineral wealth. He expressed confidence in the expertise of the committee members, noting that their collective competence will be instrumental in building a strong and credible mining institute.
Engineer Mato also reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to providing full administrative support to ensure the committee executes its mandate effectively and in line with the state’s development goals.
In his remarks, Chairman of the House Committee on Mines, Bello Sarki Jadori, assured that the committee would justify the confidence reposed in them. He thanked Governor Mohammed and the Commissioner for the initiative and pledged that the legislature would provide the necessary backing to strengthen the establishment of the institute.
Members of the Central Working Committee are drawn from the Ministry of Natural Resources Development, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Oil and Gas Academy Alkaleri, BAMSEL, Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Housing and Environment, the House Committee on Mines, MIREMCO, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, and the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences, among others.