Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, said that without a credible digital identity system, Nigeria cannot effectively combat illegal mining or improve governance.
The Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Lara Owoeye-Wise, said Alake made the statement while receiving the Director-General of NIMC, Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, in Abuja, describing technology, data and digital identity as indispensable tools for planning, regulation, investment and national security.
“Without identification we cannot trace, we cannot track and insecurity will thrive. We need effective tracking of both legal and illegal operations in the solid minerals sector. “A credible identity ecosystem will strengthen regulation, improve enforcement and support our efforts to sanitise the sector,” he said.
A closer working relationship between the ministry and the NIMC will improve transparency, accountability, regulatory oversight, licensing and evidence-based policymaking in the country’s mining sector, the minister said.
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NIMC Director-General, Dr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said the newly passed NIMC Act 2026 provides a stronger legal framework for digital governance and opens opportunities for deeper collaboration with the ministry.
The integration of digital identity in the solid minerals sector, she said, will bring about better database integration, regulatory compliance, monitoring of operators, security, law enforcement and the implementation of Community Development Agreements in mining host communities.
Both organisations promised to foster deeper collaboration through technology-driven initiatives to support ongoing reforms, strengthen governance, enhance security and promote sustainable development in Nigeria’s mining sector.
