Nigeria’s fight against illegal mining has taken a decisive step forward with the inauguration of an ad-hoc committee by the House of Representatives. The committee, launched at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, aims to tackle a shadow industry that has been draining billions of dollars from the national treasury each year.
Chairing the committee is Hon. Sani Egidi Abdulraheem, who outlined the scale of the crisis, noting an estimated $9 billion lost annually due to illegal mining activities. He emphasized the committee’s focus on plugging revenue leakages, enforcing transparency, and ensuring Nigeria’s mineral wealth contributes meaningfully to national development.
Abdulraheem also linked the mission to wider industrial goals, highlighting the need to revive projects like the Ajaokuta Steel Company. He described it as a symbol of Nigeria’s untapped potential in the solid minerals sector and expressed hope that renewed political will could turn it into a driver of industrialization and job creation.
The event also showcased a deepening collaboration among institutions working to restore order in the mining sector. Representing the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Commander John Onoja Attah of the Mining Marshals described illegal mining as not only an economic crime but a threat to national security, calling for sustained joint efforts to protect lives, investments, and the environment.
