The Senate has called for a sweeping overhaul of safety regulations in Nigeria’s mining sector following a devastating landslide at a coal mining site in Ankpa, Kogi State, which claimed 20 lives.
The resolution followed a motion titled *”Urgent Need to Address Unsafe Mining Practices,”* sponsored by Senator Isah Jibrin (Kogi East) during Tuesday’s plenary.
The Tragedy in Ankpa
Leading the debate, Jibrin detailed a harrowing incident on July 14, 2026, in the Alufele community of Enjema District. A significant ground failure and landslide trapped artisanal and small-scale miners underground, while several trucks reportedly sank into mining pits during loading operations.
The disaster resulted in 20 confirmed deaths and left many others with varying degrees of injury.
Jibrin noted that the Ankpa coal block, which spans Enjema, Okaba, and Ikah communities, is geologically susceptible to subsidence and landslides. He blamed the disaster on the widespread use of the “room-and-pillar” mining system without adequate structural reinforcement.
“Many miners work under informal arrangements without written contracts, health insurance, or life insurance,” Jibrin lamented. “This leaves victims and their families without any financial protection when these preventable accidents occur.”
Senate Demands Audit and Compensation
Disturbed by the report, the Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to immediately conduct a nationwide audit of all licensed miners to strengthen monitoring and regulatory compliance.
The upper legislative chamber also called on the Federal Government to establish a **Statutory Mining Workers’ Compensation Scheme**. This scheme, to be funded through mandatory contributions by licensed operators, would provide financial support for occupational injuries, permanent disabilities, and deaths.
Furthermore, the Senate directed the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to collaborate with the Ministry of Solid Minerals to develop compulsory occupational accident insurance for all categories of miners, including those in cooperatives.
Other resolutions passed include:
The establishment of a Mine Rehabilitation and Victims Support Fund** to provide emergency medical treatment and educational support for the children of deceased miners.
A mandate for the Senate Committees on Solid Minerals Development, Environment, Labour, and Health to engage relevant MDAs and report back within six weeks.
A minute of silence observed in honour of the 20 victims.
From Motion to Legislation
Seconding the motion, Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno (Borno North) emphasized that mere resolutions might not be enough to stop the recurring “ugly scenario” of mine collapses.
“The issue of mining collapse has become a recurring decimal with the attendant effects of deaths and injuries,” Monguno stated.
He advised Senator Jibrin and other lawmakers from mining-heavy districts to transition these proposals into a robust Bill. “A motion is persuasive and doesn’t have coercive powers. We need to pass these regulations into law to ensure strict enforcement,” Monguno added.
The Senate President, in his concluding remarks, tasked the relevant committees to ensure the resolutions are followed by executive action to prevent further loss of lives in the Anambra Basin and other mining hubs across the country.
