Metro Shettima reaffirms FG’s commitment to geo-heritage

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to harnessing Nigeria’s geo-heritage sites for socio-economic development, tourism, and climate resilience.

Shettima gave the assurance when he received a delegation from the UNESCO International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP) Nigeria National Committee (NNC), led by Chairman Dr Amin
u Isyaku, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He noted that the Federal Government was opened to collaborations with stakeholders, particularly state governments, to unlock the full economic and developmental potential of these natural sites.

“It is better late than never,” Shettima said, adding that geo-heritage holds promise for sustainable tourism, job creation, community peace, and attracting international research funding.

He commended the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, for their efforts in preserving geo-heritage and promoting scientific innovation.

“I acknowledge UNESCO IGGP’s alignment with our Renewed Hope Agenda, and your focus on climate change, hydro-geology, geo-hazards, geo-dynamics, and geo-heritage,” he said.

Shettima urged the committee to expand its work across Nigeria’s geo-political zones and assured them of sustained federal support.

“This country is blessed. Let us work as a team to reposition it,” he added.

Earlier, Isyaku requested federal support in completing the mapping and inventory of Nigeria’s geo-heritage sites, and in executing pending geo-science projects nationwide.

He said the formation of Nigeria’s national committee, five decades after the global body’s creation, had now placed the country firmly within the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) framework.

Isyaku pledged to align the committee’s work with the Renewed Hope Agenda and to raise public awareness on the role of geosciences in national development and environmental sustainability.