….we’ll escalate conviction of arrested illegal miners – Alake

…. production of solid minerals reaches 95.07m metric tonnes, generates ₦9bn – NEITI

…NASS calls for adequate budgetary allocation to solid minerals sector

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – AS non-oil sector takes the front burner in exports for foreign exchange revenue generation, President Bola Tinubu, Tuesday, declared that the nation’s solid minerals sector is now in a new chapter following the achievements so far made under one year.

Tinubu stated this while declaring open the 9th Nigerian Mining Week with the theme ‘Building the Mining Sector to Become a Cornerstone of Nigeria’s Economy‘ in Abuja.

Represented by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, maintained that the potential of the solid minerals sector in Nigeria is too enormous to swell the economy and secure a future of shared prosperity.

Dignitaries in attendance include the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar; Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar; Senate Committee Chairman on Solid Minerals Development, Senator Akpan Samson; House Committee Chairman on Solid Minerals Development, Hon Jonathan Gbefwi; Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI; National President, Miners Association of Nigeria, MAN, ‘Dele Ayanleke; and the diplomatic community, international and national investors.

He said: “This year’s theme, From Inside Out, Building the Mining Sector to Be the Cornerstone of Nigeria’s Economy, captures the essence of our journey.

“We gather not just to convey but to chart a transformative path for Nigeria’s mining industry, a transformative path in an industry brimming with the potential to swell our economy and secure a future of shared prosperity.

“Under the remarkable leadership of the Honorable Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dr. Henry Oladele Alake, our nation’s mining agenda has entered a new chapter. His dedication has reinvigorated our approach, addressing challenges with a vision that positions Nigeria’s mining sector as the backbone of economic growth.

“Together, we are shaping a mining sector that can stand as a global model of innovation, resilience and sustainable development.Aligned with our Renewed Hope Agenda, we are modernizing the Nigerian minerals and mining arts to meet the demands of a dynamic global economy.

“This legislative reform brings challenges, transparency and international competitiveness to our mining laws, making Nigeria an attractive destination. At its core, this reform underscores our commitment to environmental sustainability and the socio-economic welfare of our communities, ensuring that the wealth of Nigeria’s resources benefit every citizen.

“Our focus on infrastructure development lays the groundwork for a thriving mining industry with robust public-private partnerships.”

According to the President, his administration’s ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda is constructing an ecosystem that enhances connectivity, facilitates efficient mineral transport and prepares our resources for global markets.

“Strategic investments in transportation, energy and digital infrastructure are transforming assets and position Nigeria to compete with unmarked strengths and agility on the world stage.

“Nigeria’s communities are essential partners in this mission, ensuring that our journey towards sustainable growth is inclusive and empowered”, he added.

In a Ministerial presentation, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, while highlighting progress made in the sector in the last one year after he was appointed Minister by the President, he said fight against illegal miners and convictions will be escalated in 2025.

“Mining marshals of our vision is a multi-force security architecture which will comprise men from the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Army Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, and the Directorate of State Security Service.

“Even operating at its preliminary stage or level, the  mining marshals have sent the right signals to offenders in the sector, including criminals involved in various forms of nefarious mining activities.

“To date, over 300 illegal miners have been arrested and facing prosecution.Some have obtained conviction, including even foreign nationals. And I dare say that about a year ago, I wasn’t aware of anywhere in Nigeria that an illegal operator in the mining sector had been apprehended, prosecuted, and convicted. But it has started under the system and would be excalated.

“There is currently ongoing nationwide investigation of illegal mining sites and this investigation is being accelerated.

“Beyond the plans to integrate other forces, we are also introducing satellite technology to aid monitoring”, he said.

He also disclosed the Ministry would focus on the welfare of host communities from 2025, therefore called for collaboration between the government an stakeholders to unlock the full potential of the sector.

In a goodwill message, the Executive Secretary/ CEO, NEITI, Dr Orji Ogbonaya Orji, made it known that solid minerals sector’s production reached 95.07 million tonnes, generating ₦9.01 billion in royalties.

“In 2023, Nigeria’s solid minerals production reached an impressive 95.07 million tonnes, generating ₦9.01 billion in royalties. Export volumes also rose to 4.32 million metric tonnes, valued at ₦117.29 billion, signalling the sector’s expanding footprint in international markets.

“Despite these achievements, the sector’s contribution to GDP remains modest. In 2022, it accounted for ₦1.66 trillion—or 0.83%—of Nigeria’s GDP of ₦202.36 trillion. This improved slightly to ₦1.76 trillion—or 0.75%—in 2023”,  Orji said.

Meanwhile, the National President, Miners Association of Nigeria, MAN, ‘Dele Ayanleke, called for permanent solution to the action of States against operators.

“I want to reiterate here today, that by the virtue of the spread of the deposits of the various minerals across the 774 local council areas of this nation, the mining sector holds the ace for even distribution of wealth to the grass roots and for accelerated migration of Nigerians from poverty through the value chain development as encapsulated in the 7-Point Agenda of our Honourable Minister.

“It is on this note, that we, hereby, make passionate appeals to our office holders at the national and subnational levels to respect our constitutionality and the provisions of the extant laws in the governance of our mineral resources.

“I wish to humbly submit that this is not the time to exhibit exuberance or engage in unguided and staggered experimentation of a novel governance regime that will make our dream of a highly beneficial economic sector becomes a mirage.

“To accelerate the growth of our national mining economy, huge investments are needed; and as no investor will like to fish in troubled waters, this is the time to engender a unified, acceptable and pragmatic legal and regulatory frameworks that will address and ameliorate all the issues giving impetus to the present operating chaotic regulatory environment.”

The Senate Committee Chairman on Solid Minerals Development, Senator Akpan Samson, and House Committee Chairman on Solid Minerals Development, Hon Jonathan Gbefwi called for increased budgetary allocation and adequate funding of the sector for greater productivity and diversification of the economy.