BY GLORIA AKUDORO
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that his administration is deeply conscious that every policy we implement and every contract we sign must be in service of the Nigerian people, ensuring that mining activities uplifts communities.
This is even as President Tinubu, in the moment of celebration of the decade of mining week, forecasted that the mining sector’s contribution to the national GDP will rival oil in the next 10 years.
Mr. President stated this at the 10th edition of Nigeria Mining Week 2025 in Abuja, themed, “Nigeria Mining: From Progress to Global Relevance”. The Nigeria Mining Week was organised by the Miners Association of Nigerian (MAN), jointly supported by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, and Titan Minerals.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, president Tinubu, stressed federal government’s commitment towards making sure that safety and security of mining areas in Nigeria are paramount, particularly for players in the industry.
“We are equally committed to responsible, people-centred mining. Natural resources must enhance lives today and for future generations. We are enforcing strict environmental regulations to prevent pollution of our farmlands and water sources. We are requiring mine operators to rehabilitate sites and respect biodiversity.
“We are also promoting transparency through initiatives like the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), as our citizens deserve to know how their natural resources are managed and utilised. We will not allow the mistakes of the past, whether it’s the environmental degradation of the Niger Delta or the unsafe mining practices of old, to be repeated.
“As President, I am deeply conscious that every policy we implement and every contract we sign must be in service of the Nigerian people. The objective is clear: we want mining that uplifts communities. That means local jobs, fair compensation, investments in schools and hospitals, and respect for the rights of local inhabitants. It also means zero tolerance for any exploitation or injustice. The wealth from mining should heal and build, not hurt or divide.
“Safety and security in mining areas are also paramount. We are committed to ensuring that mining areas in Nigeria are safe for all stakeholders, including investors, workers, and residents. Our government has taken steps to improve security in regions where mining activities are ongoing, working to eliminate banditry and conflict that threaten both people and projects. A secure environment is the bedrock of sustainable resource development,” he declared.
He continued, “In this celebratory moment, I invite us to look to the future. Imagine a Nigeria a decade from now, a Nigeria where the contribution of mining to our GDP rivals that of oil, where the steel mills in Kaduna and Katsina hum with activity, where Nigerian-made batteries, solar panels, and precious metal products are being exported worldwide, proudly stamped “Made in Nigeria”.
“Imagine a Nigeria where a gold mine in Zamfara supports a jewellery industry in Abuja, where the tin of Plateau feeds electronic factories in Lagos, and where the limestone of Ogun becomes the cement that builds our cities. This is not a distant dream; it is an achievable vision, and we are already on the path to realising it.
“Nigeria has no reason to be poor, not when God has blessed our land with abundant resources and talented people. Our challenge is to harness these God-given potentials to bring prosperity to all. Let us turn our minerals into miracles of development. Let us make “From Minerals to Miracles” our rallying cry, converting our natural wealth into lasting progress.”