Alake urges state governors to form mining companies, apply for licences

This was revealed in a communiqué issued yesterday following a meeting of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) held in Abuja.

According to the communiqué, Alake stated that the decision was based on recent policies, institutional, and operational reforms implemented by the ministry to maximize the country’s mining potential.

“He sought the collaboration of state governments in his efforts to foster an enabling business environment for investors, encourage artisanal and small-scale mining cooperatives, combat illicit mining, and de-risk the sector. According to the statement, the Minister encouraged state governments to organize mining businesses and apply for mining licences.

While the governors stated that they “welcomed the reforms,” they pushed for better intergovernmental links in coordinating the sector’s activities, including licencing, surveillance, and operational protections.

Alake’s call comes in response to reports of continuous illicit mining activity across the Federation’s states.

Recent investigation revealed the operations of illegal miners on the campus of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), sparking outrage from the school’s administration and the general public.

Since then, the minister has established a security force to track down and prosecute those responsible for illicit mining.