Hon. Sani Egidi Abdulraheem says the new House Committee will enforce transparency and end illegal mining losses as the NSCDC pledges full collaboration.
Nigeria’s renewed war against illegal mining, a shadow economy draining billions from national revenue ,took a significant leap on Thursday with the inauguration of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Illegal Mining at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
The new committee, chaired by Hon. Sani Egidi Abdulraheem, has pledged a coordinated national approach to combat illicit mineral exploitation and restore integrity to the country’s solid minerals sector.
Speaking at the inauguration, Abdulraheem described illegal mining as a “scourge” that has caused massive economic and environmental damage while fuelling insecurity across the country.
“Illegal mining is a scourge that has had devastating effects on our nation — from the massive revenue losses to the criminality that undermines our security and rudely alters our environment,” he said.
The lawmaker revealed that Nigeria loses an estimated $9 billion annually to illegal mining, calling it an unacceptable economic sabotage.
“Our mission is clear — to block these revenue leakages, enforce transparency, and ensure that every naira from our natural resources contributes to the nation’s prosperity,” Abdulraheem stated.
He said the committee’s work goes beyond legislative duty, describing it as part of a constitutional obligation to protect national assets and expose corruption in the solid minerals value chain.
“We will leave no stone unturned,” he vowed, pledging structured oversight to strengthen enforcement, track revenues, and safeguard the environment.
Abdulraheem also linked the committee’s mission to the government’s renewed push to revive the Ajaokuta Steel Company, describing it as a symbol of Nigeria’s industrial potential.
“Ajaokuta stands as a glaring testament to our failure to harness the full potential of our mineral resources. But with the current administration’s political will, it can still become a cornerstone of industrialization and job creation,” he said.
Representing the Commandant-General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, the Commander of the Mining Marshals, John Onoja Attah, commended the National Assembly for demonstrating what he called “unwavering commitment to tackling one of the nation’s gravest economic and security threats.”
“This inauguration marks a significant milestone in our collective and ongoing efforts to tackle the scourge of illegal mining,” Attah said.
He explained that the Mining Marshals were established under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through the collaboration of Dr. Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development; Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior; and Prof. Audi himself.
“The enabling environment provided by this trio has strengthened the Corps’ capacity to sanitize the mining environment and protect legitimate investments,” Attah noted.
He disclosed that the Mining Marshals have disrupted several illegal mining operations, arrested offenders, and seized illicit minerals, but emphasized that challenges remain.
“We realized we cannot do it alone,” Attah said, urging lawmakers to strengthen the Marshals’ enforcement powers, boost budgetary support, and help raise awareness in mining communities.
“We remain committed to this fight until we get the needed support of this House to do even better. The NSCDC will continue to work tirelessly to ensure our mineral resources are harnessed for the benefit of all Nigerians,” he added.
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