Mining Marshals Reclaim Over 90 Sites, Revive Investor Confidence in Solid Mineral Sector
Nigeria’s solid minerals sector has recorded unprecedented revenue growth, reaching historic highs thanks to sweeping regulatory reforms and enhanced security measures championed by the Federal Government. Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, made the announcement at the South West Leaders Conference held in Akure, highlighting the sector’s transformation under President Bola Tinubu’s Seven-Point Agenda.
Dr. Alake credited the sector’s resurgence to the establishment of the Mining Marshals—a specialized unit within the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), created in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior. Tasked with combating illegal mining, the unit has reclaimed over 90 mining sites and prosecuted more than 300 offenders, restoring investor confidence and stabilizing operations nationwide.
The Minister revealed a dramatic revenue upswing: ₦8.6 billion in 2022, ₦14.9 billion in 2023, and ₦38 billion in 2024 following reform implementation. Over ₦30 billion has already been recorded between January and September 2025.
The South West region emerged as the top contributor to federal mining revenue in 2025, generating ₦7.2 billion. Dr. Alake praised the region as a model of responsible mining, citing its enthusiastic adoption of reform initiatives.
A ₦2.5 billion satellite monitoring system has been deployed to track licensed mining activities and truck movements in real time. This innovation is curbing revenue leakages and illegal operations, marking a new era of transparency and efficiency.
Among the sector’s standout successes is the Segilola/Thor gold project in Osun State, which posted a turnover of $193 million in 2024. The project employs over 2,000 people—80 percent of whom are young Nigerians under 40—underscoring the sector’s role in youth empowerment and job creation.
The region now boasts 46 registered mineral buying centres and 369 cooperatives with over 5,700 members. Dr. Alake described these as the real engines of inclusive growth, driving community participation and economic diversification.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to sustaining momentum, Dr. Alake urged state governments and traditional rulers to continue supporting federal reforms. He emphasized the goal of positioning Nigeria’s mining sector as a major revenue source beyond oil—and a global benchmark for national prosperity.