The Federal Government has arrested 300 illegal miners in a bid to revitalize the country’s mining sector.
This was disclosed during a briefing on Thursday by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, as he addressed the House Committee on Solid Minerals at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Dr. Alake revealed that the arrests came after deploying over 2,000 trained mine marshals across the country, targeting illegal mining activities.
He explained that this effort is part of a comprehensive plan to boost the mining sector and make it a major part of Nigeria’s economy. “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,” he said.
Alake credited President Bola Tinubu for supporting these initiatives and enabling partnerships with the Ministry of Interior. This cooperation has allowed resources and personnel to be quickly deployed to protect mining areas. He emphasized the positive impact of these actions, stating, “Our commitment to safeguarding our mining sites is also a commitment to Nigeria’s stability and an invitation to investors who seek reliable partnerships.”
In addition to curbing illegal mining, Dr. Alake outlined plans to attract international investors to Nigeria’s mineral sector. He said, “The strategic focus on in-country processing and value addition for minerals is helping Nigeria retain wealth that might otherwise be lost through raw exports.” He mentioned that these efforts have led to the creation of the African Mineral Strategy Group, aimed at enhancing mineral processing across the continent.
The Minister of Finance Incorporated Real Estate Investment Fund was also highlighted as a means to provide affordable mortgages and boost private sector investment. Dr. Alake added that “these reforms are setting the stage for Nigeria’s mining sector to contribute significantly to the country’s GDP.”
Chairman of the House Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Hon. Garza Gbefwi, expressed support for the ministry’s efforts and called for increased funding. He stated, “Mineral exploration is highly capital-intensive, and sufficient funding is critical to producing reliable data that can drive the sector forward.” He urged the government to prioritize financial backing for the sector and improve licensing processes to avoid community tensions.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Ogbe, thanked the House Committee for their support and emphasized that “together, we can achieve our shared objectives, particularly in increasing the sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s overall economic sustainability.”
She pledged that the ministry would continue to work with the committee to secure resources and drive progress in the sector.
