NEITI, lawmakers push mining sector reforms at Abuja Indaba

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and the House of Representatives have renewed calls for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, citing the need to position the country as a competitive player in the global green energy transition.

Speaking at the 5th West African Mining Host Communities’ Indaba in Abuja, Orji Ogbonnaiya Oji, executive secretary of NEITI, warned that Nigeria risks missing out on opportunities in the fast-growing global market for critical minerals if governance, legislation, and community rights are not strengthened.

“Our mining laws are relics of a different era. They must be rewritten for the 21st century to empower communities, safeguard the environment, enforce transparency, benefit citizens and attract global investors,” Orji said.

He noted that despite Nigeria’s mineral deposits, the sector contributed less than 1% to GDP in 2023, with total revenue earnings of N401.8 billion.

Orji stressed that the “time for lamentation is over,” urging the passage of a new Solid Minerals Reform Act within 12 months, the creation of a National Minerals Development Council, and the launch of a real-time mining cadastre portal.

He also called for embedding the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) into law to ensure that host communities are treated as equal partners.

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“If Nigeria seizes this moment, our minerals will not just power batteries and electric cars abroad; they will power prosperity, justice, and hope here at home,” he said.

In a similar vein, Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi, chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals, underscored the need for legislation that guarantees host community rights, benefit-sharing frameworks, and strict environmental accountability.

“The time for voluntary corporate social responsibility is over; we need mandatory legal frameworks that guarantee the rights of our people,” Gbefwi stated.

He added that the National Assembly is advancing bills to strengthen regulatory oversight, promote local content, and enforce FPIC as a cornerstone of sustainable mining.

Industry observers say both NEITI and lawmakers are aligning on reforms that would make Nigeria’s solid minerals a driver of economic diversification, jobs, and sustainable development.

The Indaba, convened by Global Rights, drew delegates from across West Africa to deliberate on the theme “Contextualising Green Mining Within Free, Prior, and Informed Consent.

Ruth Tene Natsa

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.