The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has raised the alarm over serious death threats coming his way, all because of his bold moves to clean up Nigeria’s troubled mining sector.
Speaking through his spokesperson, Segun Tomori, the Minister said he has had to triple his personal security after he started revoking licences of operators who have been flouting mining regulations or sitting on government-issued permits without using them.
But despite the threats, Dr. Alake says he’s not backing down.
“We won’t tolerate defaulting licence holders. I have had to increase my personal security, but I remain undaunted,” he said.
When President Bola Tinubu appointed Dele Alake in 2023, many saw it as a strategic move to breathe life into a sector long dominated by illegal operators, inactive licence holders, and powerful cabals who benefit from the chaos.
Since assuming office, Alake has launched what many now call a “mining revolution” – revoking over 1,600 inactive or illegal licences, introducing tighter regulations, and attracting genuine investors into the sector.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s mining sector, which used to contribute less than 0.5% to the GDP, is now pulling in 1.8% as of Q2 2025. That may sound small, but in terms of real naira, it’s a massive jump – and a clear sign that something is working.
Many of the revoked licences reportedly belong to well-connected individuals who have now resorted to threats and intimidation. But Alake insists the war is not personal – it’s about cleaning up the sector for the sake of Nigeria.
“Our confidence is hinged on the fact that we are waging the battle based on principle, for the sake of our country,” he said.
For a sector that has been crying out for reform for decades, this might be the turning point; if the momentum is sustained.
