Senate urges stronger federal-state teamwork to unlock Nigeria’s solid minerals potential.
Lawmakers tour South-East, seek reforms, better data, and fair policies to attract investors.
The Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development has emphasized the need for strong collaboration between all levels of government, stating that no individual state can effectively develop Nigeria’s vast solid minerals sector without active support and partnership from the Federal Government.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ekong Sampson, made this known during courtesy visits to the Governors of Enugu and Ebonyi states as part of the committee’s oversight tour of mining sites across the South-East region.
Speaking after a meeting with Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, Senator Sampson said: “No level of government can go it alone if we are to harness the full potential of mining in this country. There must be a winning synergy between the federal, state, and local governments.”
He explained that the tour was aimed at assessing mining operations and gathering insights that will inform the development of more effective national policies. Highlighting the importance of the sector, he noted that it plays a central role in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with N1 trillion allocated in the 2025 budget to support the industry.
The delegation included key lawmakers such as the committee’s Vice Chairman, Senator Kabeeb Mustapha; Deputy Majority Whip, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi; Senator Anthony Ani; Senator Kelvin Chukwu; Senator Diket Plang; and Senator Okechukwu Ezea.
Governor Mbah, in his remarks, welcomed the Senate’s initiative and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting reforms that enhance the role of states in mining governance. He stressed the untapped potential of Nigeria’s solid minerals and called for more inclusive legislative frameworks through the ongoing review of the Mining Act.
“Poor data quality and inadequate geological information are among the biggest challenges discouraging investors. With better data access and clear allocation of responsibilities, we can attract the kind of large-scale investment this sector needs,” Mbah said.
In a related engagement in Abakaliki, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Patricia Obila, who received the committee on behalf of Governor Francis Nwifuru, echoed similar sentiments. She said Ebonyi was eager to deepen collaboration with the Federal Government to fully explore its rich mineral deposits.
“We want a strong and productive partnership. Responsible mining practices and inclusive policies will help boost our internally generated revenue and ensure that local communities benefit directly from these resources,” Obila stated.
Senator Sampson reiterated the committee’s commitment to driving such collaborative efforts, stressing that only through a coordinated national strategy can Nigeria unlock the full economic benefits of its mineral wealth.
