Deliver Results or Face Consequences, Alake Warns Mining Sector Stakeholders

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The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has issued a strong warning to stakeholders in Nigeria’s mining sector, demanding measurable and people-centered outcomes in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and global best practices.

Speaking at a two-day ministerial retreat in Abuja titled “Enhancing Performance, Strengthening Accountability, and Fostering Innovation in the Solid Minerals Sector,” Alake declared an end to business-as-usual operations.

He urged industry players to embrace accountability, innovation, and tangible results to reposition Nigeria’s mining sector.

“We are not just managing the present—we are building the future,” Alake stated. “Our children must see the impact of our work under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The minister highlighted key reforms, including:

– The establishment of the Nigerian Solid Minerals Company, a public-private venture to attract foreign investment.

– A historic ₦1 trillion exploration budget to address Nigeria’s mineral data deficit.

– The deployment of 2,350 Mining Marshals to combat illegal mining.

Alake also revealed significant revenue growth, with mining licence fees rising from ₦6 billion in 2023 to ₦12.58 billion in 2024, while royalties doubled to ₦36.8 billion. Additionally, over 300 artisanal mining cooperatives have been formalized to promote legal operations.

He called for urgent action to leverage the global energy transition, warning that Nigeria risks being left behind if the sector fails to evolve.

Senator Ekong Sampson, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, praised Alake’s leadership, emphasizing that Nigeria’s mineral wealth—from gold to lithium, bitumen to coal —can diversify the economy and create jobs.

Similarly, Hon. Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi, Chairman of the House Committee on Solid Minerals, described the reforms as a “game-changer”, comparing the potential impact to Norway’s oil success story.

He noted that revenue surged from $6 billion to $38 billion, with over $800 billion in foreign investments attracted.

Permanent Secretary Engr. Yabo Faruk Yusuf credited the ministry’s achievements to teamwork, which earned it a Service Excellence Award.

Engr. Obadiah Simon Nkom, Director-General of the Mining Cadastre Office, called the retreat a “rebirth” for the sector, urging participants to leave “recharged and ready to transform Nigeria’s mining industry.”

Alake’s message was clear: The era of complacency is over—only results-driven governance will shape Nigeria’s mining future.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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