NGO Says Curbing Illegal Mining Crucial to Boosting National Revenue

The Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), a non-governmental organisation, has urged the Federal Government to take more decisive action against illegal mining to maximise revenue from Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

RDI’s Executive Director, Mr. Philip Jakpor, made this call during an interview with the Voice Of the People  (VOP) on Sunday in Abuja.

Jakpor’s comments follow a recent statement by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, who revealed that revenue from the sector had grown from ₦6 billion in 2023 to ₦38 billion in 2024. The minister attributed the sharp rise to stricter licensing processes, a clampdown on illegal mining, and a new policy promoting local mineral processing.

While commending the increase, Jakpor said the revenue gains remain below Nigeria’s true potential due to ongoing economic losses from unregulated mining operations.

“The surge in earnings from solid minerals is a step in the right direction, but it still doesn’t reflect our full potential as a nation,” he said. “Illegal mining continues to thrive because the government has not yet closed all the loopholes. Value addition remains questionable, as many mining companies are foreign-owned and still export raw minerals without proper processing.”

Jakpor also criticised Nigeria’s current mining standards as inadequate, calling on the government to enforce stricter operational regulations. He emphasised that such enforcement would not only improve revenue but also help safeguard miners from occupational hazards such as mine collapses.