The Federal Government is intensifying efforts to harness the untapped economic and cultural value of Nigeria’s geo-heritage sites, with Vice President Kashim Shettima reiterating the administration’s readiness to partner with key stakeholders to achieve this vision.
This was contained in a press release issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of the Vice President), on August 28, 2025, and made available to 9News Nigeria.
Receiving members of the UNESCO International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP) Nigeria National Committee, led by Chairman Dr. Aminu Abdullahi Isyaku, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Vice President highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape through innovative use of natural resources.
“We are opening doors for collaboration with subnational governments and relevant bodies,” Shettima said, emphasizing that the initiative, though long overdue, would yield significant benefits for national development.
He explained that the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda extends beyond traditional sectors, focusing also on scientific and environmental opportunities. According to him, the government is determined to leverage geo-heritage assets for job creation, sustainable tourism, peace in host communities, and global research funding.
“This country is richly endowed. It is time for all of us to work together to make it thrive,” the Vice President asserted, commending the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency and the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology for championing the preservation of Nigeria’s geological heritage.
Vice President Shetima lauded UNESCO IGGP’s alignment with national objectives, particularly in promoting resilience under themes such as climate change, hydro-geology, geo-hazards, and sustainable resource management.
Earlier, Dr. Isyaku appealed for government support in completing the mapping and documentation of Nigeria’s geo-heritage sites and advancing pending geoscience projects. He noted that the establishment of the national committee—five decades after the inception of the global IGCP framework—marks a significant milestone for Nigeria’s integration into the international geoscience community.
Dr. Isyaku further assured that the committee’s initiatives are consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda, pledging increased public awareness campaigns on geoscience benefits, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
Also in attendance were Prof. Olusegun Ige, Director General of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency; Uba Saidu Malami, President of the Geological Society of Nigeria; Dr. Olagunju Lateef, Secretary-General of NATCOM UNESCO; Mrs. Grace Okpala, Director of the National Geoscience Information Centre; Dr. Ganiyu Mosuro, Co-Founder of DigGeoNaija; and Mr. Ishaku Muhd Ganu, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, among others.
