While the ad-hoc committee has vowed to recover $9bn lost to illegal mining, the NSCDC disclosed that over 500 illegal miners have been arrested, with 270 currently facing trial
The House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on illegal mining has pledged to recover the $9 billion lost annually to illicit mining activities in Nigeria.
The committee chairman, Rep Sanni Abdulraheem, stated this while speaking during the inauguration of the committee on Wednesday.
Abdulraheem described illegal mining as a scourge that undermines national revenue, fuels criminality, and degrades the environment.
“It is estimated that Nigeria loses approximately $9 billion annually due to illegal mining activities. This theft of our resources that should be enriching our nation has gone on for far too long, and it is time to put an end to it,” he said.
He said the committee’s mandate includes blocking revenue leakages, enforcing transparency, and ensuring that the country’s mineral wealth contributes meaningfully to national economic growth.
“As we move forward, one of the core objectives of this committee is to block the revenue leakages caused by illegal mining and its associated activities, which not only steal from our national treasury but also hinder the growth of legitimate mining operations that could contribute substantially to our national Internally Generated Revenue (IGR),” he stated
The lawmaker assured that every naira generated from the nation’s natural resources must translate into tangible economic benefits for Nigerians.
“Through structured oversight, we will strengthen revenue-tracking mechanisms and ensure that the full benefits of Nigeria’s mining sector flow directly into government coffers, rather than being siphoned off through illegal mining activities,” he added.
Abdulraheem further emphasized the environmental and security implications of illegal mining, calling it “a matter of national urgency.”
“Equally important is the issue of the criminality and environmental degradation linked to illegal mining. These activities not only fuel insecurity, but they also lead to the pollution of our waterways, the degradation of our forests, and the displacement of vulnerable communities. This is a matter of national urgency to tackle these issues head-on, and it is why we are here today.”
Reaffirming the committee’s commitment to accountability, he said the House would not relent in exercising its constitutional powers to protect national resources.
“We are committed to fulfilling our oversight responsibility as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria—to expose corruption in any form, curb malpractices, and ensure that our resources are used for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“It is through such diligent oversight that we will rid our nation of the cancer of illegal mining, safeguard the environment, and protect the wellbeing of our citizens. Through the powers granted to us, we will investigate, gather evidence, and propose actionable solutions that will restore sanity and accountability to Nigeria’s mining sector,” he declared.
Speaking on the Ajaokuta Steel Company, Abdulraheem expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has demonstrated “unprecedented political will” to revive the critical industrial asset.
“For many years, the Ajaokuta Steel Company has stood as a symbol of unrealized potential. However, I am proud to say that it is now on track to fulfilling its true promise. The current administration has shown unprecedented political will to rejuvenate this critical national asset.
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“This is reflected in the appointment of an indigenous professional to lead its revival—a move that gives us hope for the future of Nigeria’s steel industry. With Ajaokuta poised for success, we are looking at not just an economic game-changer but a cornerstone for our industrialization, job creation, and long-term economic growth,” he said.
Abdulraheem also expressed gratitude to Speaker Abbas Tajudeen for entrusting him with the leadership of the committee.
Representing the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Commander of Mining Marshals, ACC Attah John Onoja, pledged full cooperation with the committee to combat illegal mining across the country.
Onoja disclosed that since the launch of the Mining Marshals operation in March 2024, the NSCDC has arrested over 500 illegal miners, with 270 currently facing trial and several convictions recently secured.
“I want to say very quickly that over 500 illegal miners have been arrested in the course of this operation, and about 270 are currently facing trial as we speak today. Just three weeks ago, we secured convictions—and all these efforts go towards ensuring that we curb illegal mining activity in Nigeria.
“Nigeria’s Security and Civil Defence Corps, as an agency, is assuring this honorable committee of our maximum cooperation and support to ensure that this all-important task is achieved,” Onoja stated.
