Follow Us on Google
• Mandates Uzodimma-led panel to scrutinise illegal mining activities
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday frowned at the continuous illegal and unrecorded mining of solid minerals, including gold, with proceeds not flowing into the national treasury.
In response, NEC, presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, extended the scope of the committee led by Imo State Governor and Progressive Governors Forum Chairman, Hope Uzodimma, from crude oil theft to also investigate theft and leakage in the solid minerals sector.
While briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Uzodimma explained that NEC approved an expanded mandate for the committee after its prior report on crude oil theft. The new terms of reference will cover illegal mining activities and revenue losses in the solid minerals domain.
He outlined NEC’s key decisions and the steps planned to curb crude oil theft and mineral pilferage. He said the administration will pursue a more coordinated, cross-sector effort with regulators, operators, and states rich in crude production, supported by security agencies, the Navy, and NNPC consultants, to protect revenue and production security.
He noted an appreciable increase in daily crude production—from about 700–800 barrels per day prior to 2023 to over 1.7 million barrels per day currently—credited to a sustained multi-stakeholder security and operations framework that has earned broad buy-in and a robust security presence along production and export routes.
The governor added that NEC broadened the Inter-Ministerial Committee’s remit to encompass solid minerals, recognising significant losses from illegal mining and theft that bypass official revenue channels. The panel will now coordinate with other agencies to ensure minerals like gold contribute to national revenue.
“So our report today was to appraise NEC on the committee’s activities. NEC received our report with satisfaction and expanded our Terms of Reference to also cover solid minerals because our resources are being mined and stolen without contributing to national revenue.
“Going forward, our committee, in collaboration with other government agencies, will examine how to ensure revenue from solid minerals such as gold is not siphoned away. It is a cause for celebration that we have progressed so well.”
On offshore and creek security: Uzodimma stressed strengthening security across all creeks and offshore zones to deter unlawful vessel movements at export points, underscoring the aim to safeguard both production sites and export infrastructure.
Asked about the specifics of the solid minerals’ new terms of reference and the timeline for a report, Uzodimma remained cautious.
“The NEC decision is driven by the persistent illegal mining and mineral theft that evade records and revenue. NEC wisely extended our mandate to cover this area so we can robustly assess what is happening in the sector.
Other News
“I would be overstepping to predict outcomes now. We will explore all avenues and employ all methods to address Nigerians’ concerns, and we will report back as soon as feasibility allows.”
The platform, he noted, reflects the Council’s broader commitment to technology-enabled governance and inclusive agricultural growth that cuts across the 36 states and the FCT.
“The story of Nigeria’s recovery will not be written by chance but by choice—by the deliberate actions we take to protect our economy, safeguard our environment, and uphold the welfare of our citizens,” he said.
VP Shettima commended governors, ministers, and members of the Council for sustaining the NEC as a platform of trust, cooperation, and policy innovation.
Other highlights of the meeting were as follows: Excess Crude Account $535,823.39, Stabilisation Account N87,665,172,169.67, and Natural Resources Account N141,585,815,908.16.
Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee and Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, briefed Council that since its inauguration, the Committee has convened four times (June–October 2025), strengthening political commitment and coordination.
Epidemiological data show continued progress, with cVPV2 cases dropping by 44% from 109 in 2024 to 61 in 2025. Kano and Katsina achieved major reductions (89% and 88% respectively). However, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi reported new cases (8, 4, and 2), highlighting the need for ongoing vigilance. Gombe remains free of new cases.
Recent In-Between Round Activities (IBRA) led to significant gains: Settlements reached rose from 77% in August to 97% in September; vaccine coverage in insecure areas reached 90% across key states; and the first phase of the National Integrated Campaign (launched by the First Lady on October 6, 2025) was conducted in five high-burden states, reaching 60% of settlements and vaccinating 73% (Polio) and 57% (Measles-Rubella) of targeted children as of October 12, 2025; and the second phase began on October 18, 2025, in Gombe, continuing integrated vaccination efforts.
Current activities and next steps: The nationwide Integrated Campaign commenced on October 6, 2025, is ongoing across five states—Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara; The Integrated Campaign delivers a comprehensive health package, including Measles-Rubella and Polio vaccines, Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC), and Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) interventions.
Council in its resolution urged state governments to ensure release of funds to their structures to improve statewide immunisation exercise.
The NEC urged sustenance of momentum to reduce polio infection and spread, thereby safeguarding every Nigerian child.
