Nigeria's Dele Alake targets illegal mining and regulatory conflicts

Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has called for increased community involvement to combat illegal mining and environmental damage. Addressing youth activists from Kogi State, Alake urged local leaders and residents to support government enforcement efforts rather than protecting unlawful miners. He noted that Kogi has been a priority area, citing recent operations that successfully dislodged illegal miners from licensed sites.

Nationwide, the ministry reported identifying 374 illegal mining sites between March 2024 and August 2026, with 108 sites cleared so far. The crackdown has resulted in 743 arrests and ongoing prosecutions.

Separately, Alake warned state governments against establishing independent mining regulations. He cautioned that conflicting state-level policies could create uncertainty and discourage investors. While encouraging states to participate in the sector through Special Purpose Vehicles and official legal channels, he emphasized that all activities must align with the federal regulatory framework to ensure a stable mining environment.