The President of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dele Ayanleke, has called on the Nigerian government to match its numerous policies on mining with bold implementation, warning that without strong political will, the sector’s vast economic potential will remain untapped.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Nigerian Mining, Ayanleke noted that while Nigeria has “robust policies on the ground,” the challenge lies in executing them.
“We shouldn’t talk of change until we start implementing those reforms and observe some challenges along the way. We have good reform plans and good policies in place. The only thing we lack is political will to implement some of these policies,” he stated.
He also emphasised the importance of grassroots engagement and economic empowerment through value addition:
“I think the best way that this can be done is to ensure that our value addition policies are well in place—not just on paper. You have to take audacious steps to make sure we implement them.”
Ayanleke pointed to the ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to formalise artisanal miners as an example of progress. According to him:
“These unskilled operators often pose environmental hazards, but when grouped into cooperatives, they can become productive economic units. This goes a long way in stemming insecurity, illegality, and helps them contribute their own quota to economic development.”
He stressed that the mining sector could play a pivotal role in reducing unemployment and boosting revenue if all local governments, each endowed with one or two mineral types, are strategically engaged.
“There is hardly any local government in Nigeria without a deposit of one or two minerals. We’re not just talking about core minerals—we mean sand, granite, gravel, and other materials that are commercially viable.”
With about 44 minerals available in commercial quantities, Ayanleke insisted the mineral wealth is “widespread,” and what’s needed is “implementation, not discovery.”
