Nigeria’s solid minerals sector recorded one of its strongest performances in recent years, expanding by 4.61% in the second quarter of 2025 and contributing 1.8% to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to new figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, disclosed the data during a press briefing ahead of the 10th Nigeria Mining Week in Abuja. He attributed the growth to ongoing reforms and tighter regulatory oversight introduced by the Federal Government.
“Ten years ago, mining contributed less than 0.5% to Nigeria’s GDP. Today, it stands at 1.8%, and the latest NBS figures showing 4.61% growth in Q2 2025 demonstrate that our reforms are delivering real results,” Alake said.
According to the minister, the strong performance reflects the increase in operational mines, higher investor participation, and a growing economic impact on host communities.
Alake emphasised that the government’s reforms — centered on transparency, compliance enforcement, and investor protection — have repositioned the mining industry as a vital pillar of Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.
He reaffirmed that the administration remains committed to maintaining discipline within the sector, including the revocation of dormant or non-compliant mining licenses.
“We are enforcing the ‘Use It or Lose It’ clause to ensure that only serious investors operate in the sector,” he added.
To consolidate these gains, Alake announced plans to establish a Minerals Pre-Shipment Agency that will strengthen export monitoring and revenue assurance. He also revealed that the ministry is deploying satellite surveillance systems across mining locations and doubling the number of Mining Marshals to curb illegal mining activities nationwide.
The minister reiterated the government’s determination to make the solid minerals sector a major driver of Nigeria’s economic transformation.
“No amount of threat or blackmail will derail our mission. Mining will take its rightful place as a leading contributor to GDP,” Alake declared.
Industry stakeholders, including Dele Ayanleke, President of the Miners Association of Nigeria, commended the ministry’s progress and urged continued implementation of the reforms to sustain investor confidence.
The 10th Nigeria Mining Week, themed “Nigerian Mining: From Progress to Global Relevance,” will be held from October 13–15, 2025, at the Abuja Continental Hotel. The event is jointly organised by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, PwC, Vuka Group, and the Miners Association of Nigeria.
Economists have described the 4.61% growth as a sign that Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts are beginning to yield results, with the mining industry emerging as a potential major source of revenue generation and job creation.
