Says Illegal Miners Not Legit Operators, Fuel Insecurity
By Amah Alphonsus Amaonye
African Writers Centre (AWC), AbujaÂ
The Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) has strongly rejected the recent proposal by the Congress of Northern Governors and Elders calling for a suspension of mining activities across Northern Nigeria as a solution to growing insecurity in the region.
In a detailed statement signed by National President, Dele Ayanleke, and National Secretary, Sulaiman Liman, the Association warned that banning mining is “a dangerous, economically destructive, and ineffective response to insecurity.”
The Association urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Executive Council, and the National Assembly to completely discard the proposal, insisting the move would worsen joblessness, deepen poverty, encourage criminality, and scare investors—while emboldening illegal miners who are the real drivers of insecurity.
Insecurity Is National — Not a Mining Problem, MAN Insists
According to MAN, insecurity affects all sectors, not mining alone. The group explained that criminal attacks in rural agrarian and mining communities happen because these locations are remote and lightly policed—not because legal mining fuels terror activities.
They stressed that no credible evidence has established a link between licensed mining operations and terrorism, kidnapping, or banditry.
“It is disorderly illegal mining—conducted without licences, regulation or oversight—that fuels money laundering, arms-for-gold exchanges and criminality,” the group stated.
Blanket Bans Have Failed Before — The Zamfara Example
The Association recalled how the federal government banned mining in Zamfara State in 2019, yet banditry and kidnapping worsened and spread to:
- Katsina
- Niger
- Kaduna
- Kebbi
- Sokoto
Illegal miners, they said, became even more empowered, operating freely while licensed miners were forced out by overzealous enforcement officers.
A Ban Would Empower Criminals, Not Stop Them
MAN warned that suspending mining in Northern states would:
- Strip legitimate miners of access to their investments
- Enable illegal miners to “feed fat” on abandoned minefields
- Deepen unemployment among thousands of miners
- Increase multidimensional poverty
- Drive youth into crime
- Allow criminals to exchange stolen minerals for arms
- Damage Nigeria’s investment reputation globally
The Association emphasized that such a ban would contradict the Tinubu administration’s recent progress in attracting new investments into the solid minerals sector under Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake.
“Why Shut Down Mining When Oil Was Never Banned During Niger Delta Militancy?” — MAN
In a direct comparison, MAN noted that during the height of militancy in the Niger Delta:
- Oil production was never halted
- Oil licences were never suspended
- The federal government used dialogue, negotiations, and Joint Task Forces to contain sabotage
- States supported these efforts
The group insists Northern Governors must adopt similar “homegrown solutions” rather than advocating an economically disastrous ban.
What Happens to Industries That Depend on Minerals?
The miners raised critical economic questions:
- How will cement plants survive without limestone and gypsum?
- What of steel manufacturers, battery producers, ceramic industries, water drilling firms, and construction companies?
- What becomes of the miners’ employees and their dependents?
- How will the federal government replace revenue from mining exports?
The Association warned that the proposed ban could trigger mass layoffs and cripple essential sectors.
Strengthen Enforcement, Not Kill the Industry
MAN commended Minister Dele Alake for reforms such as:
- Cleaning up the Mining Cadastre Office
- Revoking inactive titles
- Establishing the Mining Marshal Corps to tackle illegal mining
- Promoting global investments in Nigeria’s mineral resources
They urged Northern Governors to channel security votes to support:
- The Mining Marshals
- Improved logistics
- Deployable surveillance systems
- Local intelligence operations
- Community policing models in mining zones
Revalidation of Mineral Titles: “A Constitutional Aberration”
Reacting to the call for mass “revalidation” of mineral titles, MAN warned that:
- Mineral resources fall under the Exclusive Legislative List
- States cannot dictate title revalidation
- The suggestion hints at “resource control by subnational units” and is unconstitutional
Final Appeal to President Tinubu
The Association urged President Tinubu to protect legitimate miners, emphasizing:
“Banning mining will do far more harm than good. Illegal miners will thrive while genuine investors suffer. The negatives overwhelmingly outweigh the positives.”
They called for constructive engagement with miners rather than punitive, sweeping measures.
Outlook: What This Means for the Mining Sector
Analysts believe the strong pushback from MAN reflects wider industry fears that:
- Investment flows into solid minerals—Nigeria’s next big foreign exchange frontier—may stall
- State-federal tensions could rise over resource control issues
- Illegal mining syndicates may exploit policy confusion
- Security outcomes will not improve unless enforcement—not economic shutdown—is prioritized
