Alafara canvasses more vigorous mineral exploration for Nigeria’s transformation
By Abubakar Imam
The immediate past Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Prof. Abdullahi Alafara Baba, has canvassed a more vigorous exploration and integrated processing of indigenous materials to enhance national development.
Prof. Alafara gave this advice last Wednesday (May 20, 2026) while delivering a paper, titled “Hydrometallurgical Processing of Some Indigenous Mineral Ores and Secondary Material Resources for Industrial Applications”, at the 2026 edition of League of Tropical Universities Summit, hosted by Hainan University, Haikou, China.
The theme of the global Summit was “Intelligent Connectivity, Shared Future: The Mission and Innovation of Universities in the Digital Era”.
The don specifically explained how integrated hydrometallurgical processing of indigenous material ores and material resources can stimulate industrial growth.
Prof. Alafara, who specialises in Analytical, Industrial and Material Chemistry, said that the exploration and integration of these natural resources would reduce the importation of refined products and preserve the nation’s foreign earnings.
He explained that Nigeria is one of the most naturally endowed countries with abundant mineral and material resources, pointing out that the utilisation of these resources would lead to poverty reduction.
Prof. Alafara, who is also the President of Material Science and Technology Society of Nigeria, said that the country is currently battling with high exchange rates, which often leads to high production cost and unaffordability to the populace.
Speaking with UNILORIN Bulletin on telephone, Prof. Alafara, who also earned all his degrees from the University of Ilorin, said that the Summit afforded him the privilege of sharing his thoughts. He added that it was also an opportunity for him to interact with his colleagues from all over the world, a privilege, which, he said, has broadened his horizons.
He explained that the Summit has not only strengthened scientific and educational collaboration among tropical nations, but it has also contributed valuable tropical wisdom needed to tackle worldwide development challenges and advancing a shared future for the global community.
He, therefore, thanked the authorities of the University of Ilorin for the privilege as he assured the management that the knowledge gained would be utilise towards the greatness of the better by far University.
The Summit brought together over 200 representatives from government agencies, international organisations, universities, and research institutions across 30 countries and regions including the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and Secretary-General of the Association of West African Universities (AWAU), Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN.
The opening ceremony of the Summit featured several key moments, including the launch of the TropiLearn Platform, and the release of the Development Report of the League of Tropical Universities (2026).
