The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has declared that Nigeria will no longer tolerate illegal mining activities or regulatory infractions, disclosing that more than 3,000 mining licences have been withdrawn as part of ongoing reforms in the sector.
Speaking at the Solid Minerals Excellence Awards in Abuja, Nigeria, Alake said the Federal Government reviewed mining licences and sanctioned operators who failed to meet regulatory obligations, including payment of fees and royalties.
According to him, the action was aimed at sending a clear signal that “it is no longer business as usual” in Nigeria’s mining industry.
Alake also disclosed that about 2,500 mining marshals recruited from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have been deployed nationwide to combat illegal mining.
He said the marshals have apprehended more than 800 illegal operators, while over 142 suspects, including foreigners, are currently facing prosecution.
The minister added that the government is promoting local value addition in the mining sector to boost industrialisation, job creation and revenue generation.
Under the new policy, mining companies are expected to process and add value to minerals locally instead of exporting raw materials.
Alake said the reforms have significantly improved revenue generation in the sector, revealing that earnings rose from about N6 billion in 2023 to N38 billion by the end of 2024, with projections expected to rise further in 2025.
He likened President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms to a painful but necessary process that would eventually deliver long-term prosperity for Nigerians.
