Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr. Dele Alake, announced on Thursday in Akure that his ministry has successfully recovered over 90 mining sites from illegal miners nationwide. Speaking at the South-West stakeholders’ dialogue, Alake revealed that more than 300 illegal miners have been arrested, with 50 prosecuted and over 20 convicted under the current administration.
In collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the ministry has deployed mining marshals to secure legal mining operations and curb illicit activities. The government earned N28 billion in 2024 from the solid minerals sector, surpassing budget targets.
Alake emphasized a policy shift requiring minerals to undergo local processing before export, urging traditional rulers not to collude with illegal miners, stressing that the nation’s future depends on safeguarding its natural resources.
At the event, Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun, represented by his deputy, called for unity among South-West stakeholders beyond party politics to foster lasting development and cooperation with the federal government.
The summit, themed “Strengthening Democracy Through Dialogue,” featured calls for collaborative platforms to bridge regional divides and enhance governance.
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