The Federal Government has recovered over 90 mining sites from illegal operators and generated ₦28 billion in revenue in 2024, exceeding the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development's budgetary targets for the year.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, made this known during the South-West Stakeholders' Dialogue organised by Afenifere, in collaboration with the DAWN Commission and South-West governors, held recently under the theme "Strengthening Democracy Through Dialogue: Assessing Progress, Charting the Future."
Dr. Alake stated that the government's crackdown on illegal mining operations had led to the arrest of over 300 illegal miners, with 50 currently being prosecuted and 20 already convicted since the start of the current administration.
He noted that the ministry, in collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), had established mining marshals to secure mining sites and ensure compliance with regulations.
"The Federal Government raked in ₦28 billion as revenue in 2024 from the ministry. We overperformed on our budgetary targets for the year," Alake said.
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The minister also reaffirmed the administration's policy that raw minerals must undergo local processing before export, to strengthen value addition, create jobs, and expand economic opportunities across the mining value chain.
Dr. Alake cautioned traditional rulers and community leaders against colluding with illegal miners, stressing that the nation's natural resources must be protected for sustainable development rather than exploited for short-term gains.
Meanwhile, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi, used the occasion to call for greater collaboration between the federal and state governments while condemning alleged political interference and abuse of power by federal appointees.
The dialogue brought together key stakeholders to deliberate on good governance, federal-state relations, and sustainable economic reforms, with participants emphasising that effective resource management and rule of law remain critical to national progress.
