The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has revealed that President Bola Tinubu has granted him the authority to take decisive action against state governments interfering in mining activities across Nigeria.
Dr. Alake made this known during the ongoing Ministerial Retreat in Abuja, where he expressed deep concern over the growing trend of state governments issuing directives and attempting to regulate mining operations within their jurisdictions—an act he described as unconstitutional.
According to the Minister, mining remains an item on the Exclusive Legislative List under the 1999 Constitution, placing it firmly under the control of the Federal Government. He noted that continued interference by state authorities undermines national policy, hampers investment, and creates confusion in the regulatory framework for Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
Mediaplusng.com reports that despite several efforts to address the situation through engagement with governors and other state actors, Dr. Alake lamented a persistent level of non-compliance.
He affirmed that with the full backing of President Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development will now begin enforcing stricter compliance with constitutional provisions guiding the sector
