By Muhammad Mamman
The Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to implement robust measures against illegal mining to fully capitalise on the nation’s burgeoning solid minerals sector, which saw revenues surge from ₦6 billion in 2023 to ₦38 billion in 2024.
In a statement on Sunday in Abuja, RDI’s Executive Director, Philip Jakpor, commended the remarkable growth in earnings, as announced by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake. The minister attributed the increase to stricter licensing protocols, a clampdown on illegal mining activities, and policies promoting mineral processing to enhance value addition.
However, Mr Jakpor cautioned that the revenue leap, while commendable, falls short of Nigeria’s vast potential. “This significant rise in solid mineral earnings is encouraging, but it remains a fraction of what is achievable,” he said. “The persistence of illegal mining continues to drain our economy, and the government must take decisive action to curb it.”
Jakpor challenged claims of effective value addition, noting that many foreign firms export raw minerals, perpetuating illegal activities. He urged the government to enforce stringent mining standards to protect workers from hazards, such as mine collapses, and to ensure that only compliant firms operate in Nigeria’s mining sector.
“The time for concrete action is now,” Jakpor added, calling for policies that safeguard both Nigeria’s economic interests and the safety of its miners.
