By Adedapo Adesanya
About 300 illegal miners across the country have been arrested by the federal government in a move to revitalise Nigeria’s mining sector, according to the MInsiter of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake.
He revealed this during a strategic briefing of the House Committee on Solid Minerals’ Oversight visit to the Ministry in Abuja on Thursday.
The visit saw the unveiling of a series of transformative strides aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s mining sector by Mr Alake.
With a clear focus on the comprehensive 7-point agenda, the minister emphasised the progress made in securing Nigeria’s mining operations, deterring illegal activities, and positioning the sector as a cornerstone of economic growth.
The statement read in part, “At the forefront of this transformation is a strengthened security framework designed to combat illegal mining—a longstanding challenge that has threatened both local communities and Nigeria’s global standing.
“Since deploying over 2,000 trained mine marshals, nearly 300 illegal operators, including foreign nationals, have been apprehended, significantly reducing unauthorized mining activity across the nation.”
The minister credited the progress to the proactive support of President Bola Tinubu, which has enabled an effective inter-ministerial collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, ensuring swift deployment of resources and personnel to protect mining regions.
In addition to strengthening security, Mr Alake shared the ministry’s vision for establishing Nigeria as a global mineral hub.
According to him, targeted outreach efforts have successfully attracted the interest of leading international investors, positioning Nigeria’s mineral sector for future partnerships that promise mutual growth.
According to the Minister, with revenue on the rise and global interest growing, Nigeria’s solid minerals sector is gaining recognition as a driver of sustainable development.
He expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from Nigeria’s legislative authorities and other key partners, emphasising that these combined efforts are building a resilient foundation for the sector.
“We’re setting Nigeria’s mineral wealth on a path to growth, resilience, and international respect,” he stated, adding with a smile, “But like Oliver Twist, we ask for more. We look forward to even stronger collaboration to achieve greater milestones.”
The minister expressed optimism that with these reforms setting the stage for substantial economic contributions, Nigeria’s mining sector is on a trajectory to significantly bolster the nation’s gross domestic product.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Mr Garza Gbefwi, said the House Committee on Solid Minerals Development remained dedicated to advancing transparency, growth, and robust support for this sector.
He noted that the group has taken a more direct approach this year by engaging closely with each agency under the Ministry’s jurisdiction.
These engagements, he explained provide invaluable insights into the achievements and challenges within the sector, particularly from key agencies such as the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF). The goal is to address any obstacles that could hinder the sector’s development.
The chairman disclosed that one of the main challenges the NGSA faces is limited financial resources, especially for fulfilling its essential mandate of generating geological data.
Mineral exploration is a highly capital-intensive activity, and sufficient funding is critical to producing reliable data that can drive the sector forward.
To that end, he advocated for increased funding to facilitate a seamless partnership between NGSA and SMDF, enabling both agencies to contribute effectively to sectoral growth.
Recognising the solid minerals sector’s importance to Nigeria’s economy, Mr Gbefwi called on the federal government to prioritise funding for its development.
He encouraged the ministry to work closely with the president and other key stakeholders to secure resources that will foster the sector’s long-term sustainability and impact.
Addressing licensing and consent challenges the Chairman, among other things, stressed that licensing for exploration and extraction is an area that requires careful handling, especially concerning community consent.
However, without a well-managed consent process, local tensions can arise once valuable resources are discovered.
He noted that a transparent and inclusive licensing framework is essential to minimise conflicts, respect community rights, and ensure harmony.
The Committee, he said, supports efforts to enhance this process as a means to foster stable, sustainable growth.