FG Cracks Down on Illegal Mining, Nets N28bn Revenue from Solid Minerals

The Federal Government has recovered over 90 mining sites from illegal operators and generated a total of N28 billion in revenue from the solid minerals sector in 2024, exceeding the ministry’s budgetary targets, according to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake.

Alake disclosed this during the South-West Stakeholders’ Dialogue organised by the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, in collaboration with the DAWN Commission and South-West governors. The two-day summit, themed “Strengthening Democracy Through Dialogue: Assessing Progress, Charting the Future,” was held recently in the region.

Highlighting the government’s achievements, the minister said, “Over 90 mining sites have been recovered, and more than 300 illegal miners arrested. Of these, 50 are currently being prosecuted, while over 20 have been convicted since the beginning of this administration.”

He explained that, to enhance security and curb illegal mining, the ministry, in collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, had established a special unit known as the Mining Marshals.

“The Federal Government raked in N28 billion as revenue in 2024 from the ministry, exceeding its budgetary target,” Alake added.

The minister reiterated that the administration’s policy discourages the export of unprocessed minerals, emphasizing the need for local value addition to create jobs and stimulate economic growth. He also urged traditional rulers to refrain from aiding illegal miners, warning that national interests must not be compromised for financial gain.

Meanwhile, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, raised concerns over alleged attempts by federal appointees of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to undermine his administration ahead of the next governorship election.

Adeleke, represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi, accused some federal party officials of boasting about their power to use security agencies against state officials.

He alleged that some security agencies in Osun were providing cover for party operatives acting outside the law, adding that the local government funds of the state were seized earlier in the year without a court order.

According to him, “Elected local government officials were denied access to their offices, while those removed by a subsisting court order were reinstated through federal influence. These acts of impunity and abuse of power hinder genuine national and subnational collaboration.”

Despite the challenges, Adeleke maintained that Osun State remained committed to productive engagement with the Federal Government, noting that the state continues to participate actively in federal peer review and governance assessment initiatives.