Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, says the mining marshals have reclaimed over 90 illegal mining sites and helped raise sector revenue to N38 billion under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, says Nigeria’s mining marshals have reclaimed more than 90 illegal mining sites and facilitated the prosecution of over 300 offenders nationwide.
Speaking at the South-West Leaders Conference in Akure on Thursday, Alake said the initiative has restored peace to mining communities and strengthened investor confidence. “The mining marshals have given us results. We no longer just talk about illegal mining we’re taking it back, site by site,” he said.
He noted that sector revenue rose from N8.6 billion in 2022 to N38 billion in 2024, with N30 billion already recorded in 2025. The south-west region contributed N7.2 billion, driven by projects such as the Segilola gold mine in Osun State.
Alake added that 45 south-west communities have signed community development agreements in two years, more than double previous records, as government focuses on value addition and job creation through mineral processing.