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Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, disclosed this during a meeting with the management team of the NCDC in Abuja. He revealed that over 300 small-scale and artisanal miners have been organised into cooperatives as part of government efforts to curb illegal mining and integrate operators into the formal sector.
Alake also stated that more than 300 illegal miners have been arrested under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with about 150 suspects—including foreign nationals—currently facing prosecution.
According to the minister in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Lara Owoeye-Wise, on Sunday, the North Central region has significantly benefited from the ministry’s local value addition policy, with new mineral processing projects already underway.
He noted that the policy has helped the mining sector contribute over $2 billion to Nigeria’s economy by encouraging in-country processing and reducing raw mineral exports.
He emphasised that the policy is designed to stimulate industrial growth, create jobs, and support economic diversification, adding that the Tinubu administration remains focused on building sustainable institutions and long-term economic legacies.
Alake called for stronger collaboration between the ministry and development commissions, stressing that the solid minerals sector remains critical to Nigeria’s broader economic growth. He assured the NCDC of full support in delivering its mandate and urged its leadership to prioritise transparency, strategic partnerships, and effective project execution.
Earlier, Managing Director of the NCDC, Cyril Tsenyil, said the visit aimed to explore areas of collaboration between both institutions. He highlighted the importance of partnerships in aligning resources and advancing sustainable development initiatives across the region.
Tsenyil also proposed the establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to accelerate development in the mining sub-sector, noting the region’s vast mineral resource potential.
Both parties agreed to set up a technical working committee to drive implementation of their joint initiatives.
The NCDC, established under the North Central Development Commission (Establishment) Act, 2024, is tasked with driving development across the North Central geopolitical zone, which includes Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory.