The National Economic Council (NEC) has sounded the alarm over the massive theft and unregulated exploitation of Nigeria’s solid minerals, including gold, raising concern that proceeds from the illicit trade are being diverted without remittance to the national treasury.
In a decisive move to curb the trend, the Council has extended the mandate of its Committee on Crude Oil Theft and Pipeline Vandalisation — chaired by Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma — to also investigate the growing menace of illegal mining in the country’s solid minerals sector.
Speaking to State House correspondents after Thursday’s NEC meeting, presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Governor Uzodimma explained that the expanded committee mandate reflects mounting national concern over revenue leakages and security risks linked to unregulated mining activities.
“Our solid minerals are being mined and stolen without contributing to national revenue,” Uzodimma said. “NEC has now directed our committee to work with relevant agencies to ensure that the country’s solid minerals — including gold and other valuable resources — are properly monitored, documented, and accounted for.”
The governor noted that the decision underscores NEC’s resolve to safeguard Nigeria’s natural resources and improve revenue inflow from both the oil and non-oil extractive sectors.
He disclosed that Nigeria’s daily crude oil production had significantly risen from pre-2023 levels of about 700,000 to 800,000 barrels per day to over 1.7 million barrels per day — a development he attributed to stronger inter-agency collaboration and enhanced community participation in the security of oil installations.
“This success was achieved through sustained partnership among the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Navy, other security agencies, and the active support of state governors and host communities,” he said.
Uzodimma further announced that the inter-ministerial committee will now coordinate efforts across both oil and solid minerals, engaging ministries and regulatory bodies to close operational gaps in licensing, surveillance, and revenue collection.
He emphasized that illegal mining has become a serious national challenge, not only depriving the country of vital income but also fueling environmental degradation, insecurity, and cross-border smuggling.
“It is the same concern about illegal mining and the theft of our solid minerals without proper documentation or contribution to national revenue that informed NEC’s decision today,” he said. “We will explore every necessary mechanism to address the situation and ensure accountability.”
On the security of offshore and inland extraction zones, Uzodimma stressed the need for stronger surveillance and coordinated intelligence across export corridors to deter illegal exportation and protect critical production infrastructure.
He added that the expanded committee would, in due course, determine its operational framework and timeline for submitting a comprehensive report to the Council.
The move comes amid renewed federal efforts to reposition the solid minerals sector, with the government committing over ₦1 trillion to drive investment, enhance regulation, and boost sectoral revenue — which reached ₦38 billion in 2024, according to recent reports.
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