The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake, has revealed that the Federal Government has reclaimed no fewer than 90 mining sites from illegal operators across the country.
Speaking on Thursday in Akure during the South-West Stakeholders’ Dialogue organised by Afenifere, the DAWN Commission, and South-West governors, Alake said the development was part of the government’s ongoing efforts to sanitise the mining sector.
The two-day summit, themed “Strengthening Democracy Through Dialogue: Assessing Progress, Charting the Future,” seeks to promote unity and sustainable development in the South-West region.
Alake disclosed that over 300 illegal miners had been arrested, with 50 currently facing prosecution and 20 already convicted since the current administration came on board.
He noted that, in partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the ministry had deployed Mining Marshals across the country to protect licensed mining operations.
According to him, the solid minerals sector generated ₦28 billion in 2024, surpassing its projected revenue target.
“The new mining policy ensures that minerals are no longer exported in their raw form. They must undergo local processing to create jobs and boost the value chain,” Alake stated.
He also cautioned traditional rulers against supporting illegal mining activities for financial benefits, warning that such actions could jeopardize the nation’s economic future.
In his remarks, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi, called for unity among South-West stakeholders, urging them to put aside political affiliations in pursuit of regional development.
Adeleke, however, expressed concerns over the politicization of federal–state relations, alleging that federal projects and benefits were being channelled through party structures rather than state institutions.
“Partisan considerations are now the basis for federal interactions with Osun State, which is unhealthy for our democracy,” he said, adding that summit resolutions must be translated into action.
Also speaking, Dr. Seye Oyeleye, Director-General of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, described the dialogue as a platform to build strong regional institutions capable of fostering unity and progress.
“Progress is built on collaboration, not isolation. This summit must become an enduring platform through which the South-West engages meaningfully with the Federal Government,” Oyeleye noted.
