38 Continental J. Engineering Sciences 6 (3): 38 - 45, 2011 ISSN: 2141 – 4068 © Wilolud Journals, 2011 http://www.wiloludjournal.com ` Printed in Nigeria CAPACITY BUILDING FOR ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS: AS ESSENTIAL TOOL TOWARDS THE REALIZATION OF NIGERIA’S VISION 20:2020 Stephen J. Mallo Department of Geology and Mining, University of Jos, Nigeria ABSTRACT Over the past decade Nigerian has made attempt to liberalize its investment regime for mining by establishing the Mining Cadastre and privatizing formerly state-owned mineral assets. In response, Nigeria has in recent times witnessed increased interest in foreign direct mineral investment. The restructuring of fiscal and regulatory regime to encourage foreign investment, and the associated anticipated influx of mining capital, technology and skills will require appropriate capacity building in the mineral sector in order to transform traditional relationships between mining firms, local communities and the government. This transformation necessitates a re-evaluation of the technical capacity to capture the expected increased economic and social benefits from mineral production. Consequently, the challenges associated with capacity building in mining institutions are highlighted with the view of reviewing the roles of the private sector and government within the context of global economy. The paper considers effective mechanism for improving Nigeria’s capacity building in the mineral sector in order to maximize the economic and social benefits of mineral production for the purpose of achieving the vision 20:2020 INTRODUCTION Vision 2020 is a comprehensive framework designed to stimulate economic growth in the country. The framework also offers a blueprint for sustainable political development in Nigeria. Vision 2020 is aligned with the goals of the National Development Plan (NDP). One of the main objectives of Vision 2020 is to place Nigeria in the top 20 leading economies of the world by the year 2020. To achieve this objective, Nigeria would have to compete with nations like the United States, Japan, Germany, China, and the United Kingdom, which have traditionally maintained the Top Five ranking of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In 2007, IMF ranked Brazil 10, India 12, South Korea 13, and Indonesia 20 respectively. These nations are expected to vigorously compete with Nigeria in the global economy. Nigeria is ranked 41. The IMF uses criteria based on several benchmarks such as the Gross Domestic Products (GDP), the Gross National Product (GNP), the rise in personal income etc (International Monetary Fund, 2007). The question worth answering is which of these afore-mentioned top ranking developing countries does Nigeria expects to surpass by the year 2020? Effective training of Mining Engineers and Geoscientists is a tool for change that ensures the advancement of all Nations of the world. The much needed knowledge can only be imparted through effective capacity building of the personnel. This entails value addition to knowledge through effective development of the human mind to face new scientific challenges in mineral exploration, development and exploitation of mineral resources for economic development and transformation. In order to succeed in the current world of globalization or knowledge economy, the Nigerian mineral sector would require adequate talented and knowledgeable workforce (Abdulkarim, 2009). In the present competitive world, even developed nations need to have abundance of talented and highly intelligent and knowledgeable workers to be able to compete or remain competitive in the international market places. Capacity building would require good education system with an advance private industrial mining sector base to provide the much needed platform for hands-on-the- job training. Our Mining Engineering degree programme of the 21 st century should provide the knowledge and understanding of geology, rock mechanics, engineering design, economics, surveying, and management and associated practical skills that will enable graduates to make valuable contribution as soon as they are employed. In larger companies, work often involves the management of multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists( Aina, 1998) . Because of this, mining engineering degrees should be very wide ranging to provide an excellent basis for careers in technical management.