The House of Representatives ad hoc committee on illegal mining says President Bola Tinubu’s administration has demonstrated the political will needed to revive the long-moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi State.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking on Wednesday during the inauguration of the committee, Sanni Abdulraheem, its chairman, described Ajaokuta as a “glaring testament to the nation’s failure” to fully harness its mineral wealth.
“This vital industrial asset has been underutilised for years, leaving us to watch while other nations capitalise on similar resources. For many years, the Ajaokuta Steel Company has stood as a symbol of unrealised potential,” Abdulraheem said.
“However, I am proud to say it is now on track to fulfil its true promise. The current administration has shown unprecedented political will to rejuvenate this critical national asset.”
He commended President Tinubu for appointing an indigenous professional to lead the company’s revival, saying the move signals renewed hope for Nigeria’s steel sector.
“With Ajaokuta poised for success, we are looking at not just an economic game-changer but a cornerstone for our industrialisation, job creation, and long-term economic growth,” he added.
‘We’ll End Illegal Mining’
Abdulraheem also vowed that the committee would tackle the scourge of illegal mining, which he said continues to cost the country about $9 billion annually in lost revenue.
“This theft of our resources that should be enriching our nation has gone on for far too long, and it is time to end it,” he declared.
“Our mission is clear — to block revenue leakages, enforce transparency, and ensure that every naira generated from our natural resources contributes to the nation’s prosperity.”
He decried the criminality and environmental degradation associated with illegal mining, warning that the activities not only fuel insecurity but also pollute waterways, destroy forests, and displace vulnerable communities.
“This is a matter of national urgency. We will leave no stone unturned in fulfilling our constitutional mandate to expose corruption, curb malpractices, and ensure that our resources benefit all Nigerians,” he said.
The lawmaker pledged that the committee would carry out diligent oversight to rid the nation of the “cancer of illegal mining,” protect the environment, and safeguard citizens’ welfare.
NSCDC: Over 500 Illegal Miners Arrested
Also speaking, Attah Onoja, commander of the Mining Marshals Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said the corps is collaborating with the Ministries of Interior and Solid Minerals Development to combat illegal mining across the country.
He disclosed that the joint operations have led to the arrest of over 500 illegal miners, with 270 currently facing trial.
“Just three weeks ago, we secured convictions, and all these efforts are geared towards sanitising the mining sector,” Onoja said, assuring the lawmakers of continued support in eradicating illegal activities in the industry.
