Alake Gets Presidential Backing to Combat Illegal Mining, State Interference

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has received full backing from President Bola Tinubu to take tough action against state governments and vested interests interfering with the Federal Government’s constitutional authority to regulate the mining sector.

Alake made this disclosure at the 2025 Ministerial Retreat in Abuja, where he highlighted the challenges facing the ministry’s efforts to stem insecurity and illegal mining.

According to Alake, entrenched interests benefiting from the status quo are frustrating the ministry’s efforts, including the recently formed Mining Marshall, a special security outfit tasked with tackling illegal mining across the country. He stated that some state governments are issuing arbitrary mining bans, regulatory duplication, and blackmail campaigns against the Mining Marshall.

The minister emphasized that solid minerals remain on the Exclusive Legislative List, and only the Federal Government has the constitutional authority to regulate mining activities.

He warned that conflicting directives from state and federal actors have discouraged potential investors and created regulatory chaos.

Alake revealed that he had engaged with governors on the issue, but some have continued to act in defiance of the law, prompting him to escalate the matter to the Presidency.

He stated that he is determined to take tough action against state governments and vested interests interfering with the Federal Government’s authority.

The minister’s disclosure comes amid concerns about the proliferation of regulatory directives by some state governments, which has created uncertainty and discouraged investment in the sector.

With presidential backing, Alake is poised to take decisive action to address these challenges and ensure the effective regulation of the mining sector.