FG REFUSES NORTHERN GOVS’ CALL TO SUSPEND MINING DESPITE SECURITY CONCERNS

FG REFUSES NORTHERN GOVS’ CALL TO SUSPEND MINING DESPITE SECURITY CONCERNS

The Federal Government has rejected calls by northern governors and traditional leaders to impose a six-month suspension of mining activities across Northern Nigeria, insisting that such a move would have severe economic repercussions.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, clarified the government’s position in an exclusive statement in Abuja, emphasizing that halting mining operations would negatively impact both regional and national economic stability.

Through his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, Alake noted that critical industrial facilities, including lithium plants in Nasarawa, iron processing plants in Kaduna, and limestone-dependent cement factories such as Ajaokuta in Kogi State, rely heavily on ongoing mining activities.

“The position of the Federal Government remains that there can’t be a blanket suspension of mining activities across the North because it will have far more adverse economic implications for the region and the nation,” Tomori quoted the minister.

Following discussions with the government, northern governors have reportedly begun reconsidering their earlier recommendation for a total ban. Instead, the Federal Government is pursuing a targeted security strategy, aiming to eliminate criminal elements around mining sites. This includes a multi-agency operation coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, covering areas in the North-West, North-East, and North-Central regions.

“Legitimate mining operations should not be penalized for the activities of illegal operators,” Tomori added. He also revealed plans to deploy satellite surveillance and strengthen mining marshals to enhance monitoring and enforcement.

The minister confirmed that a comprehensive audit and revalidation of mining licenses, as requested by northern governors, is underway but kept under strategic planning until officially announced.

Northern states have faced a surge in insecurity linked to illegal mining. In late 2025, attacks on schools in Kebbi and Niger states resulted in the abduction of hundreds of students and staff, prompting temporary school closures across multiple northern states.

Despite these security concerns, Nigeria’s solid minerals sector remains a critical pillar of the Federal Government’s economic diversification strategy, with investments in lithium, iron ore, limestone, and gold aimed at generating jobs, boosting exports, and increasing non-oil revenue.

While some states, including Bauchi, have implemented localized suspensions of mining activities to curb insecurity, others such as Jigawa and Kwara are awaiting clear directives from the Federal Government regarding the proposed six-month suspension and the planned Security Trust Fund by the Northern Governors’ Forum.

Security analysts warn that delays in implementing regional measures may prolong vulnerabilities in mineral-rich rural communities. Local stakeholders have highlighted the risk of residents abandoning such areas, allowing illegal mining networks to operate with limited resistance.

The Federal Government has assured continued collaboration with international partners, including the U.S. military, to bolster security in affected regions.