By George Mgbeleke

The National Assembly has asked the Federal government to place solid minerals ministry’s budget on a first-line charge.

The Parliament warned that inconsistent releases, particularly zero capital funding, are undermining efforts to reposition the mining sector as a key driver of economic diversification.

The call was made on Monday in Abuja when the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, appeared before the Joint National Assembly Committee on Solid Minerals Development, chaired by Senator Ekong Sampson, to present the ministry’s 2024 and 2025 budget performance and defend its 2026 budget proposal.

A first-line charge status would guarantee statutory releases to the ministry, similar to priority sectors, insulating it from delays and shortfalls in Treasury disbursements.

Presenting the 2026 estimates, Alake disclosed that the disaggregated personnel, overhead and capital ceilings for the ministry and its agencies stood at N165.34 billion for the 2026 fiscal year.

For the main ministry, N1.79 billion was proposed for personnel costs; N1.57 billion for overhead; and N45.54 billion for capital expenditure, totalling N48.9 billion.

He said the remaining amount goes to the various agencies of the ministry.

Alake described the 2026 proposal as a strategic pivot from “planning and potential” to “execution, production and revenue generation.”

He stressed that the N156.34 billion outlay for the sector represents a critical investment to unlock solid minerals’ capacity to diversify the national economy, create jobs and significantly boost Nigeria’s GDP.

He said the allocation prioritises foundational tools such as surveillance, logistics and digital systems required to curb illegal mining, increase revenue and create an enabling environment for responsible investment.

However, the minister lamented that implementation challenges have stifled the ministry’s ambitions saying that as of January 31, 2026, only 50 per cent of the 2025 overhead allocation had been released, while capital releases for 2025 stood at zero.

Alake said, “The zero release of the N865.06 billion for capital expenditure in Fiscal Year 2025 is the most critical issue.”

He noted that large-scale infrastructure, exploration and sector development projects announced for the year could not commence.

Despite the funding setbacks, he said the ministry surpassed its 2025 revenue target by 80 per cent, generating N30.23 billion as at December 31, 2025.

Alake attributed the improved revenue profile to reforms in the sector, including the formalisation of artisanal miners into cooperatives and corporate entities to enhance their bankability and regulatory compliance.

He said, “We were able to encourage them to form corporations so that they will no longer be labelled illegal miners.

“They will become formalised structures, attract financing and enable the government to demand and receive royalties, taxes and other civic obligations,” he said.

He added that 388 mineral buying centres were established during the year under review, while artisanal miners received training and four high-risk abandoned mine sites were reclaimed.

The ministry also expanded its enterprise content management system, driving digitisation efforts that earned it recognition as the most digitised ministry in the country in the past year.

Alake said Nigeria’s improved geological data acquisition has placed the country on the global mining map, drawing strong investor interest.

He cited the recent African mining conference in Cape Town, South Africa, where Nigeria’s exhibition booth attracted significant attention from global investors.

“The acquisition of scientifically certified geological data puts us at par with mining giants globally. The little we have done has placed Nigeria on the map,” he said.

The Joint Committee Chairman, Senator Sampson, acknowledged the ministry’s strides but expressed concern over the disconnect between appropriations and actual releases.

“Zero releases on capital are worrisome. How do you drive the harvest of the sector’s full potential with zero per cent release?” he asked.

He noted that the previous N1 trillion intervention in the sector had raised expectations, but warned that without implementation, “the budget framework is rendered quite unattractive.”

Sampson argued that prioritising the solid minerals sector within the national budget framework would boost investor confidence and signal Nigeria’s seriousness as a mining destination.

“If you invest more, you achieve more. The revenue profile has improved remarkably. It clearly shows that if you had more, you would have achieved much more,” he said.

Other lawmakers on the committee echoed the call for first-line charge status for the ministry, describing the mining sector as highly sensitive and critical to Nigeria’s economic future.

“Just like the oil sector, maybe we should try and see if we can make it a first-line charge. Because we can’t just appropriate figures and not pay. How can they develop the mining sector?” one lawmaker said.

Responding, Alake welcomed the proposal, describing it as “sweet music” to his ears and urging lawmakers to consider legislative backing to make it feasible.

“If you legislate on it, it becomes doable. Then we will put on our executive machinery to ensure delivery,” he said.

He stressed that sustained funding is essential for comprehensive geological mapping and data generation, which form the backbone of credible mining investment.

The committee assured the minister that it would examine the proposal, while canvassing stronger prioritisation of the sector in the national budget.

Lawmakers agreed that repositioning solid minerals as a first-line charge would not only guarantee funding stability but also enhance Nigeria’s credibility in the global mining space.

They pledged to work with the executive to develop templates that would ensure the sector delivers “huge harvests” for the country.

By Owei David

The Movement of Intellectuals for National Development (MIND), a prominent Civil Society group in Nigeria, has publicly condemned the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) for its recent response to complaints regarding the treatment of Nigerian employees at TotalEnergies.

MIND asserts that PENGASSAN’s attempt to distance itself from the petition, which was submitted to the President of the Nigerian Senate, is disappointing and evasive.

According to Ebi Warekromo, MIND’s Western coordinator, the organization’s petition is founded on verified facts and the experiences of affected workers.

He emphasized that it draws on documented correspondence by the local branch of PENGASSAN, which has previously expressed concerns over unfair labour practices and managerial misconduct at TotalEnergies.

According to him, key issues highlighted include allegations of bullying and intimidation perpetuated by expatriate staff members.

Other concerns raised are serious security breaches and violations of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, especially the illegal extension of expatriate staff positions beyond their approved tenures.

MIND criticized PENGASSAN’s dismissal of their documentation as “internal correspondence,” calling such a characterization weak and disingenuous.

“Workers’ rights violations and systemic oppression are not internal issues once they begin to harm Nigerian workers,” Warekromo stated.

The organization argues that confidentiality cannot be misused to shield injustices, insisting that internal resolutions must produce tangible results; otherwise, public oversight is warranted.

The group’s concerns extend to the credibility and independence of PENGASSAN in representing its members, questioning its willingness to confront corporate powers on behalf of the workforce. They urged the union to welcome a Senate hearing, seeing it as a chance to clarify its position and renew trust with its workers.

“We are not attacking PENGASSAN; rather, we are responding to the lack of effective representation that has allowed these oppressive practices to go unchecked.”

MIND emphasized. The organization reiterated its stance that where unions hesitate to act, civil society must intervene to ensure justice and fair treatment in labour relations.

MIND advocates for a collaborative approach among all stakeholders, including workers, unions, and regulatory bodies, to promote a healthier working environment within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

It asserts that an inquiry could become a pivotal platform for addressing critical issues surrounding labour rights and corporate accountability.

MIND assured that it remains steadfast in advocating for the rights of Nigerian workers, urging PENGASSAN to take substantial action to uphold its responsibilities as a labour union.

By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

The Niger State Commissioner For Mineral Resource, Mohammed Qasim, has embarked on regulatory oversight in the solid minerals sector with a strategic inspection and compliance enforcement visit to identified mining operations in Katcha Local Government Area.

The field exercise, undertaken alongside Directors and senior technical officers of the Ministry, was aimed at strengthening on the ground supervision, ensuring strict adherence to mining laws, and reinforcing the State Government’s commitment to responsible and sustainable mineral resource development.

The inspection covered major mining sites located in Gada Eregi Village, including Avti Commodities Limited Mining Site and Alhaji Baba Ndaman & Families Mining Site, both of which are currently engaged in mineral extraction activities within the area. The visit forms part of the Ministry’s continuous drive to sanitize the sector, curb illegal operations, and promote best practices in line with national and state regulatory frameworks.

During interactive sessions with management representatives of the two mining companies, the Honourable Commissioner observed and documented serious regulatory infractions, operational lapses, and instances of non compliance with established mining and environmental guidelines. In response to these findings, Hon. Danjuma ordered the immediate suspension of all mining activities at the affected sites in Gada Eregi Village, pending a thorough review and the attainment of full regulatory clearance from the Ministry.

Addressing stakeholders at the sites, the Commissioner reiterated the unwavering position of the Niger State Government that no mining operation will be allowed to function outside the ambit of the law. He stressed the need for strict compliance with licensing requirements, environmental protection standards, safety of host communities, and alignment with the developmental objectives of the State.

According to him, the Ministry will continue to take decisive actions against illegal and non compliant operators, noting that such activities not only undermine government revenue but also pose serious environmental and security risks to local communities.

He further emphasized that the ongoing enforcement drive is designed to reposition the solid minerals sector as a viable contributor to economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development, while safeguarding the interests of host communities and future generations.

The inspection and enforcement action are in line with the vision of His Excellency, Farmer Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago, and the New Niger Agenda, which prioritizes responsible resource governance, environmental sustainability, institutional accountability, and inclusive economic development across the State.