Illegal miners flood into Nigeria’s Mining Industry as economy heads south

Nigeria, EPICSTORIAN – Nigeria’s mining industry continues to witness a surge of illegal mining activities by unlicensed individuals and corporate businesses since the discovery of oil in the country on January 15, 1956 in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State,  Niger Delta, gradually expanding to other areas of exploration such as gold, iron ore, gemstones, tin, coal and other high-value commodities.

Nigeria’s mining industry’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP has declined over the past few years as authorities, with the help of local and national security agencies, have remained unfazed by challenges from unauthorised miners.

In an effort to address the these challenges, a letter received from the National Defence College (NDC) by president Ahmed Bola Tinubu on Thursday in Abuja, which was titled “Harnessing the Mining Industry for Enhanced National Security and Development”, laid out “Strategic means and options for Nigeria” to end illegal activities in the mining industry by 2035.

The letter was a completed ‘research’ course by 32 participants of the National Defence College (NDC) presented to the president.

Responding to the letter, which was delivered by the head of the NDC delegation, Colonel Olajide Bello, President Tinubu said his administration has prepared to face “challenges from scavengers”  and illegal mineral “exploiters” of the Nigeria’s Mining Industry.

‘‘I have listened carefully to your presentation on the theme. Aside from your knowledge of war and security, I could see the intellectual depth of the work done to help the nation, and I must say thank you to all of you. 

‘‘I recognize the need for the diversification of the economy, and we have been pushing hard on this. Your involvement will equally promote a better understanding of the issues. 

‘‘We have challenges from scavengers and exploiters around the country. We must nip that in the bud, and you military officers understand this better than the civil society. 

Nigeria’s mining industry will boom with enough security.

President Tinubu expressed optimism that security agencies in collaboration with the federal government will ensure that the mineral sector thrive, contributing largely to Nigeria’s economy.

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‘‘We expect that through your command, we will have more resources that we need to make sure we have a stable economic environment,’’ he stated.