Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, says the country’s mining sector is fast becoming a cornerstone of economic growth, with revenues rising from N8.6 billion in 2022 to N38 billion in 2025, reflecting the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” for economic reform and transparency.
Speaking at the Southwest Leaders Conference in Akure, Dr. Alake said the solid minerals sector has undergone unprecedented reforms anchored on accountability, community participation, and security of mining sites.
“When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu launched the Renewed Hope Agenda, he gave us a clear mission to make Nigeria a nation where everyone can thrive,” Alake stated. “In the Ministry of Solid Minerals, we’ve worked hard to reflect that vision through real reforms and accountability.”
A major highlight of the reforms, according to the minister, is the establishment of the Mining Marshals, a specialized security unit tasked with tackling illegal mining and restoring order in mineral-rich areas.
“So far, over 90 mining sites have been reclaimed, 300 offenders prosecuted, and peace is returning to mining communities,” Alake revealed.
The initiative, he said, has not only curbed illegal extraction but also enhanced investor confidence and strengthened legitimate operations across the country’s mining belts.
Dr. Alake disclosed that the solid minerals sector’s revenue trajectory continues to rise, noting that N30 billion has already been recorded in 2025. The Southwest region alone, he said, contributed N7.2 billion, underscoring the zone’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s mineral development drive.
“This region has always been a hub of enterprise. From Segilola Gold in Osun, Nigeria’s most successful gold project, to hundreds of active quarry and exploration sites, our people are showing what’s possible with integrity and hard work,” he said.
As part of the reform blueprint, Alake highlighted the enforcement of Community Development Agreements, CDAs, which mandate companies to engage host communities before mining begins.
“In just two years, 45 South West communities have signed CDAs, more than double the record of the previous fifteen years,” he said.
The agreements, he explained, are ensuring that mining operations now deliver tangible benefits such as infrastructure, employment, and social investment to local populations.
Looking ahead, the minister outlined the next phase of Nigeria’s mining reform: value addition and local processing.
“Our next steps include value addition, more processing plants, and stronger partnerships to make mining a true driver of jobs and growth,” Alake affirmed.
He emphasized that the administration’s goal is not just to export raw minerals but to build a sustainable value chain that supports manufacturing and economic diversification.
Dr. Alake expressed confidence in the sector’s trajectory, pledging continued collaboration with regional leaders, investors, and mining communities to deepen reforms and unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s solid minerals industry.
“I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, but even more determined about what’s ahead,” he concluded.
