Nigeria is losing billions of naira every day to illegal mining and the underexploitation of non-oil resources, the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) has warned. Speaking at a press conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the national president of NMGS, Rose Ndong, highlighted the widespread fraudulent activities across solid minerals sites in Northern Nigeria and other regions.
Ndong pointed to the country’s overreliance on crude oil as a key factor limiting growth in other revenue streams. “If your eyes are opened to see the variety of solid minerals God has embedded under the soil, you would marvel,” she said, stressing that crude oil discoveries have overshadowed opportunities in agriculture and mineral resources. She also warned that this neglect may have driven license holders to engage in illegal mining practices.
The NMGS president blamed the misuse of legally granted mining licenses for fueling the proliferation of illegal operations. She urged stricter regulation and enforcement of ethical standards in the extractive industry to restore order and maximize the sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s economy. These issues are expected to be central to discussions at the NMGS council meeting scheduled for March 22–27, 2026, in Uyo.
Ndong emphasized that the upcoming conference, themed “Optimising Efficiency, Sustainability and Resilience in Resources Management and Infrastructure Development,” will offer a platform to promote responsible resource management and geo-tourism. She highlighted Akwa Ibom State’s efforts in sustainable environmental development, citing initiatives like the ARISE Palm Resort and the state’s waterfront and coastal projects as examples of harmonizing tourism with geological and environmental assets.
The NMGS president also praised Governor Umo Eno for his leadership and noted that the conference positions Akwa Ibom as a geo-economic hub in the Niger Delta. “The event reinforces geoeconomics, where geological knowledge is transformed into sustainable revenue streams, job creation, and infrastructure development,” Ndong said. The conference is expected to attract investors, researchers, and policymakers, offering Nigeria a unique opportunity to leverage geosciences for economic growth.
source: Leadership