The Federal Government has announced plans to establish a new pre-shipment inspection agency dedicated to the solid minerals sector, as part of efforts to plug financial leakages and boost revenue generation.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, disclosed this during a pre-event press briefing ahead of the 10th edition of the Nigeria Mining Week, scheduled to take place from October 13 to 15, 2025, in Abuja.
Alake explained that the initiative is part of a broader regulatory and policy framework aimed at improving transparency and accountability across the mining value chain.
“As part of the regulatory framework and policy initiatives designed to plug loopholes and leakages in the system, because there are leakages everywhere, not just in solid minerals, we are taking decisive steps to plug them,” Alake stated.
The minister noted that the move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s economic reform agenda, which seeks to enhance non-oil revenue, strengthen fiscal discipline, and reposition the mining industry as a major contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to him, addressing leakages in the sector remains one of the most effective short-term strategies for increasing government revenue without introducing new taxes.
The forthcoming Nigeria Mining Week 2025 is expected to bring together industry stakeholders, investors, policymakers, and international partners to explore opportunities and chart the future of Nigeria’s mining sector.
