Nigeria’s federal government has ruled out a blanket suspension of mining activities across northern states, despite calls by northern governors and traditional leaders for a six-month halt to curb insecurity.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said a total shutdown would have severe economic consequences for the region and the country, according to his media aide, Segun Tomori, who spoke Monday in Abuja.
“There can’t be a blanket suspension of mining activities across the North because it will have far more adverse economic implications for the region and the nation,” Tomori said.
The government said several strategic industrial facilities depend on mining operations in the North, including lithium processing plants in Nasarawa State and near Abuja, an iron processing plant in Kaduna State, and limestone mining that supplies a cement factory in Ajaokuta, Kogi State.
Instead of a total ban, the federal government said it is adopting a targeted security approach aimed at flushing out criminal groups operating around mining sites. Tomori said the strategy is being implemented through a multi-agency security operation coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser in parts of the North-West, North-East and North-Central regions.
“What can work is to map out areas that are severely affected by bandit activities and rout the non-state actors,” he said.
The minister added that legitimate mining operators should not be punished for the activities of illegal miners, noting that consultations with state governments are ongoing. He said Nasarawa State Gov. Abdullahi Sule met with the minister in January as part of the engagement process.
The government also confirmed plans to audit and revalidate mining licenses nationwide, a demand raised by northern governors.
“We announced sometime last year that an audit of the entire sector is in the offing,” Tomori said, adding that details would be announced later.
To strengthen enforcement, the government said it is fast-tracking the deployment of satellite surveillance to monitor mining sites nationwide and improve the effectiveness of mining marshals. It also cited collaboration with international partners, including the U.S. military, to improve security operations.
In December 2025, the Northern Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council called for a six-month suspension of mining activities, arguing that illegal mining had become a major source of funding for banditry and other criminal activities. The call followed a wave of school attacks, kidnappings and killings in mining communities across Zamfara, Niger, Kaduna and Katsina states.
Despite the federal government’s position, some states have taken independent action. Bauchi State confirmed that mining activities were suspended in Alkaleri Local Government Area following repeated security incidents. A government aide said security conditions have improved since the suspension.
Other states say they are still awaiting formal communication from the federal government. Jigawa State said it supports efforts to tackle insecurity linked to illegal mining but has not received an official response on the proposed suspension.
The Northern Governors’ Forum has also announced plans to establish a regional Security Trust Fund, with each state expected to contribute 1 billion naira monthly. However, officials in several states said implementation remains at an early stage, with no confirmed contributions in some areas.
Security analysts warn that delays in clarifying mining policies and launching the trust fund could prolong vulnerabilities in mineral-rich rural communities, particularly in remote areas where illegal mining camps operate.
Nigeria’s solid minerals sector is a key pillar of the government’s economic diversification drive, with investments in lithium, iron ore, limestone and gold expected to generate jobs, boost exports and increase non-oil revenue.
