The Nigerian government has arrested 300 illegal miners in a nationwide crackdown aimed at curbing unauthorised mining activities. This was disclosed by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, during an oversight visit by the House Committee on Solid Minerals at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Since deploying over 2,000 mining marshals, authorities have apprehended illegal operators, including foreign nationals, significantly reducing unauthorised mining across the country.
Dr. Alake attributed the progress to President Bola Tinubu’s support, which enabled effective collaboration between the Ministry of Solid Minerals and the Ministry of Interior. This inter-ministerial partnership facilitated the swift deployment of resources to secure mining regions.
The Minister outlined plans to transform Nigeria into a global mineral hub, highlighting efforts to attract leading international investors. He stressed the importance of in-country processing and value addition, which he said prevents wealth from being lost through raw mineral exports.
With rising revenues and growing global interest, Dr. Alake expressed optimism about the solid minerals sector’s role in driving sustainable economic development. He called for continued legislative and institutional support to build a resilient and globally respected industry.
Chairman of the House Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Garza Gbefwi, reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to transparency and growth in the sector. He praised the Ministry for its progress while noting challenges such as limited funding for geological data collection.
“Mineral exploration is a highly capital-intensive activity, and sufficient funding is critical to producing reliable data that can drive the sector forward,” Gbefwi emphasised, calling for increased financial support for agencies like the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF).
Gbefwi also stressed the importance of managing community consent during licensing processes to prevent local conflicts. He advocated for a transparent and inclusive framework to ensure harmony and respect for community rights.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Ogbe, reiterated the Ministry’s dedication to fostering a transparent and efficient environment. She assured that ongoing collaboration with the House Committee would enhance progress, create jobs, and contribute to Nigeria’s economic diversification goals.
