The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the new solid minerals reforms act within 12 months for the transformation of the sector.
Other demands include Creating a National Minerals Development Council chaired at the Presidency, Launching a Real-Time Mining Cadastre Portal for transparent, digital licensing, Embedding Free, Prior & Informed Consent (FPIC) into law for host communities, Strengthening of the Solid Minerals Development Fund to finance schools, roads, and hospitals, Deploying technology to curb smuggling and illegal mining, Investing in local processing and value addition to retain wealth and jobs, and Guaranteeing gender and youth inclusion across the mining value chain.
Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, was quoted in a statement on Friday by the agency’s Director of Communications and Stakeholders Management, Obiageli Onuorah, to have made the call recently in Abuja.
NEITI, underscored the need for actionable reform agenda to reposition Nigeria’s solid minerals sector from a neglected contributor of less than 1% of GDP into a powerhouse for economic diversification, jobs, and sustainable community development.
The agency said that for decades, Nigeria’s solid minerals sector has underperformed despite its vast potential. Noting that its latest audit shows revenues of ₦401.87 billion in 2023, representing only 0.83% of GDP.
It explained that weak laws, illegal mining, smuggling, outdated governance, and neglected host communities have kept the sector stagnant while global demand for green-energy minerals — lithium, cobalt, nickel — surges.
“The time for lamentation is over. If we fail to act boldly and immediately, others will transform their mineral wealth into prosperity while Nigeria watches,” warned Dr. Orji.
NEITI said the transition to clean energy has made Nigeria’s mineral resources, from lithium to rare earths, more valuable than oil. Saying that with decisive reforms, the sector could attract billions in investment, generate massive revenues, create quality jobs (especially for youth and women), and bring visible development to host communities.
NEITI pledged to serve as the accountability anchor of these reforms, using credible data, independent audits, and multi-stakeholder monitoring to track revenues, expose gaps, and ensure communities’ benefit.
“Our reports will no longer sit on shelves; they will be powerful tools to hold both government and companies accountable and to drive real change,” Dr. Orji said.
