The Federal Government has apprehended a total of 300 illegal miners across Nigeria as part of its efforts to revitalise the country’s mining sector.
This was disclosed during a strategic briefing at the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, where Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals, addressed the House Committee on Solid Minerals during their oversight visit to the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
During the briefing, Alake outlined a series of transformative initiatives aimed at rejuvenating Nigeria’s mining sector. Central to the strategy is a comprehensive 7-point agenda focused on enhancing security, curbing illegal mining, and positioning the sector as a key driver of economic growth.
In his statement, the minister highlighted the strengthened security framework as a critical part of the transformation.
He noted, “A key element of this change is our enhanced security measures to tackle illegal mining—an issue that has long posed a threat to local communities and undermined Nigeria’s global standing. Since deploying over 2,000 trained mine marshals, we have arrested nearly 300 illegal miners, including foreign nationals, effectively reducing unauthorized mining activity across the country.”
Alake credited the success of these efforts to the proactive support of President Bola Tinubu, which facilitated strong inter-ministerial collaboration, particularly with the Ministry of Interior. This collaboration has enabled swift action to secure mining regions through the deployment of resources and personnel.
“This renewed security framework is already having a profound impact,” the minister said, adding that the reduction in illegal mining is a clear signal of improved stability. He further emphasized that protecting Nigeria’s mining sites is not only about security but also about inviting trustworthy international investors to form reliable partnerships.
Beyond security, Alake shared the ministry’s broader vision to establish Nigeria as a global mineral hub. He revealed that targeted outreach efforts have successfully attracted significant interest from top international investors, positioning the country’s mineral sector for future partnerships that promise mutual growth.
With rising revenues and growing global interest, Nigeria’s solid minerals sector is increasingly being recognised as a key contributor to sustainable economic development.
