Dele Alake, minister of Solid Minerals Development, says ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s mining sector are driving record revenues and restoring investor confidence, as the government strengthens enforcement through Mining Marshals to curb illegal operations nationwide.

Speaking in Abuja during an interaction with participants of Course 34 of the Nigerian Defence College on “Assessment of the Solid Minerals Value Chain and Its Impact on Economic Growth,” Alake disclosed that revenue from the sector has surged from ₦6 billion in 2022 to ₦26 billion as of October 2025 — more than a fourfold increase in three years.

He attributed the growth to the implementation of his Seven-Point Agenda, which focuses on transparency, accountability, and full enforcement of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act.

Alake, who was represented by his special adviser, Kehinde Bamigbetan, said “by tightening compliance and blocking financial leakages, we are unlocking the true value of Nigeria’s solid minerals.”

As part of efforts to sustain investor confidence, the minister said over 3,700 dormant mining titles have been revoked under the “use it or lose it” principle, while operators are now required to meet obligations under the Community Development Agreement (CDA) and adhere to environmental standards.

On enforcement, Alake announced plans to scale up the capacity of the Mining Marshals — the security and compliance arm of the ministry — with more vehicles, equipment, and modern weaponry to enhance nationwide coverage across all 774 local government areas.

According to him, the Mining Marshals have reclaimed 90 mining sites from illegal operators, prosecuted over 300 offenders, and are monitoring about 450 sites currently under threat.

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“We are making steady progress in sanitising the industry. The next phase is expansion — stronger logistics, better intelligence, and total control of the mining environment,” he said.

Read also: Chinese firms invest over $1.3bn in Nigeria’s lithium processing projects – Alake

To further drive growth, Alake highlighted the establishment of the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company, a government-backed entity positioned to attract joint ventures and foreign direct investments into strategic minerals such as lithium, gold, and nickel.

He said the ministry’s ongoing reforms are designed to position Nigeria as a competitive mining destination, capable of rivaling other mineral-rich economies in Africa.

Responding on behalf of participants, Olushola Oluokun, director of Information, Communications and Technology of the Nigerian Defence College, commended the minister for the detailed presentation, saying it offered critical insights into the economic potential of Nigeria’s mineral value chain.

 

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.

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