The National Economic Council (NEC) has expressed serious concerns over the widespread theft and illegal exploitation of Nigeria’s solid minerals, such as gold, which are currently not contributing adequately to national revenue. In response, NEC has expanded the scope of the Committee on Crude Oil Theft and Pipeline Vandalisation, chaired by Imo State Governor and Progressive Governors Forum Chairman, Senator Hope Uzodimma, to include tackling illegal mining activities.
At a press briefing following an NEC meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Governor Uzodimma revealed that the decision was prompted by the committee’s recent report on crude oil theft. NEC’s directive aims to address significant revenue losses due to unregulated minerals mining and ensure proper accounting for extracted resources.
Uzodimma also highlighted Nigeria’s improvement in crude oil production, which has risen from about 700,000–800,000 barrels per day prior to 2023 to over 1.7 million barrels daily, attributing this to enhanced cooperation among security agencies, operators, state governors, and the military.
The expanded committee will now focus on both the oil and solid minerals sectors, coordinating efforts with relevant government agencies to close gaps in monitoring, licensing, and revenue collection. Additional emphasis will also be placed on bolstering surveillance in offshore and creek areas to safeguard production infrastructure and curb illegal activities.
Regarding the timelines, Governor Uzodimma noted that the operational framework for the expanded committee will be determined soon, promising a thorough approach to stemming illegal mining and ensuring accountability across the board.
