FG rejects Northern govs’ call for blanket mining ban over insecurity

The Federal Government has ruled out a total suspension of mining activities across Northern Nigeria, dismissing calls by northern governors and traditional leaders for a six-month halt to curb rising insecurity and banditry in the region.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said shutting down mining operations entirely would trigger serious economic consequences for both the North and the country.

Speaking through his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, the minister said the government had weighed the security risks against the economic value of ongoing mining and mineral processing.

“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,” he said.

Alake noted that several key industries depend on minerals sourced from the North, including lithium processing plants in Nasarawa and the outskirts of Abuja, an iron processing facility in Kaduna, and limestone supply for cement production in Ajaokuta, Kogi State. According to him, a total ban would disrupt jobs, investments and supply chains.

He added that following consultations with the Federal Government, some northern governors had begun reconsidering their earlier push for a comprehensive ban.

Instead, the government is adopting a targeted security strategy focused on clearing criminal groups operating around mining communities. Tomori said the approach involves mapping out heavily affected areas and deploying coordinated security operations led by the Office of the National Security Adviser across the North-West, North-East and parts of the North-Central.

He stressed that legitimate operators should not suffer for the actions of illegal miners, adding that talks with state governments are ongoing. Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, he said, met with the minister in January as part of the engagements.

On demands for an audit and revalidation of mining licences, Alake confirmed that the Federal Government is already preparing a sector-wide audit, with details to be announced soon. He also disclosed plans to deploy satellite surveillance to monitor mining sites nationwide and strengthen enforcement by mining marshals.

The government is also collaborating with international partners to improve security outcomes in affected areas, he said.

The Northern Governors’ Forum had in December 2025 urged President Bola Tinubu to suspend mining activities for six months, arguing that illegal mining had become a major funding source for bandits and other criminal groups. The call followed a wave of attacks, kidnappings and school raids in mineral-rich communities in states such as Zamfara, Niger, Kaduna and Katsina.

Several states temporarily shut schools after incidents including the abduction of students in Kebbi and Niger states.

Despite the governors’ demand, implementation has been uneven. Jigawa State said it has yet to receive official communication from the Federal Government regarding any suspension, though it supports broader security efforts. The state also acknowledged plans by the forum to establish a regional Security Trust Fund, with each state contributing ₦1 billion monthly, though contributions remain unclear.

In Kwara, discussions on the proposed suspension and trust fund are still at the policy stage, with no confirmed rollout. Security analysts warn that delays could leave rural mining communities vulnerable to illegal operators.

Civil society groups have also cautioned that unregulated mining may worsen insecurity, disrupt farming and weaken local economies.

However, Bauchi State has taken independent action, confirming the suspension of mining in Alkaleri Local Government Area following repeated security incidents. State officials said the measure has already improved safety in the affected communities.

Nigeria’s solid minerals sector remains central to the Federal Government’s economic diversification strategy, with investments in lithium, iron ore, limestone and gold expected to boost exports and generate jobs.

The government’s refusal to impose a blanket ban reflects efforts to balance security concerns with the need to keep legitimate mining operations running while cracking down on illegal activities.