RismadarVoice Reporters, April 12, 2026
The Federal Government has strengthened its collaboration with the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) in a bid to unlock the vast mineral wealth of Nigeria’s North Central region, boost employment through enhanced mineral processing.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, made this known while hosting a delegation from the commission led by its Managing Director, Cyril Tsenyil, at his office.
According to the minister, the partnership is part of broader efforts to formalize mining activities and stimulate economic growth. He revealed that over 300 artisanal and small-scale miners have already been organized into cooperatives, a move aimed at curbing illegal operations and integrating miners into the regulated sector.
Alake also disclosed that enforcement actions against illegal mining are yielding results. More than 300 individuals have been arrested, while about 150 suspects including foreign nationals are currently facing prosecution.
Highlighting progress in the sector, the minister noted that the North Central region is already benefiting from the government’s value addition policy. He explained that new mineral processing projects are underway, helping to retain more economic value within the country rather than exporting raw materials.
He added that the policy has contributed over $2 billion to Nigeria’s economy, reinforcing the administration’s drive to diversify revenue sources and strengthen non-oil sectors.
The minister emphasized that encouraging local processing of mineral resources would promote industrialization, create jobs, and reduce dependence on raw mineral exports. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to building lasting institutions and fostering collaboration among key development agencies.
Alake assured the NCDC of the ministry’s full support, urging the commission to prioritize transparency, strategic partnerships, and efficient project delivery to maximize impact across the region.
In his remarks, Tsenyil said the visit was aimed at identifying areas of mutual cooperation between both bodies. He stressed that collaboration would enable both institutions to align their goals, share resources, and drive sustainable development initiatives.
He further pointed to the region’s rich mineral deposits and proposed the establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to accelerate development within the mining sector.
