President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria has lifted the five-year ban on mining exploration in Zamfara State, following significant improvements in security across the region. The ban, imposed in April 2019 due to escalating banditry and its links to illegal mining, was initially aimed at restoring peace in the troubled state.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, disclosed the development over the weekend in Abuja, noting that the decision would unlock Zamfara’s vast economic potential. “The existential threat to lives and properties that led to the 2019 ban has abated,” he said. “The security operatives’ giant strides have led to a notable reduction in the level of insecurity. With the ban on exploration lifted, Zamfara’s mining sector can gradually begin contributing to the nation’s revenue pool.”
Zamfara State is endowed with rich mineral deposits, including gold, lithium, and copper, which Dr. Alake described as critical to Nigeria’s economic growth. He emphasized the need for regulated mining activities, saying, “The lifting of the ban will facilitate better regulation of mining activities, ensure effective intelligence gathering to combat illegal mining, and enable the country to benefit from the state’s mineral wealth.”
The minister admitted that while the 2019 ban was well-intentioned, it created a vacuum exploited by illegal miners, resulting in significant losses for the nation.
Dr. Alake credited the Tinubu administration’s coordinated and intelligence-driven security operations for reducing insecurity in the state. He highlighted the recent capture of notorious bandit commander Halilu Sububu as a major milestone.
“Our administration has significantly reduced incidents of insecurity by neutralizing key bandit commanders,” he noted. “This achievement has set the stage for reawakening economic activities in a highly mineralized state like Zamfara.”
Commending the media for supporting the ministry’s reforms, Dr. Alake said, “The press has been a key ally in sanitizing the mining sector and promoting market reforms, making the industry attractive to both indigenous and foreign investors.”
On recent controversies surrounding Nigeria’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with France, the minister clarified that the agreement focuses on training and capacity building for mining professionals, without ceding control of Nigeria’s mineral resources. “We’ve signed similar agreements with Germany and Australia. The deliberate peddling of misinformation is uncalled for,” he stressed.
Looking ahead to 2025, Dr. Alake revealed plans for further policy reforms to consolidate the sector’s growth and create an enabling environment for sustainable investments. “We are committed to transforming Nigeria’s mining sector into a global model,” he said.
