By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill aimed at tackling illegal mining activities across the country as part of efforts to strengthen oversight in the mining sector through the establishment of a Mines Rangers Service.
The bill christened “Nigeria Mines Rangers Service establishment bill 2025”, was passed into law on Tuesday during plenary after senators debated on the report of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, chaired by Senator Ekong Samson (Akwa Ibom South).
During debate, several lawmakers described the proposed Service as timely, noting that the initiative will protect mining communities and secure natural resource sites from unregulated operators.
Presenting the report of the Committee, Samson informed that the Service, when established, will serve as a specialised enforcement agency tasked with securing mining sites and ensuring compliance with the nation’s mining laws.
Debating on the report, Senator Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South), underscored the critical role the Mines Rangers Service will play in securing mining operations in the country.
He said: “If established, the Rangers service will be physically present at mining sites across the country. They will serve as the eyes on the ground to monitor the extraction of our national resources.
“With major mining investors now operating in Nigeria, there is an urgent need to provide adequate protection for investments and ensure the country benefits fully from its mineral wealth.”
Commenting, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, mentioned that the bill will help improve regulation and enforcement under the existing Mining Act. “This is a timely intervention that will strengthen our regulatory framework and ensure that Nigeria’s mineral resources are properly managed.
“I pray those who will be working there will have patriotism in their mind and work to stop all illegal activities in our mines,” Akpabio stated.
The bill, which was sponsored by Senator Mohammed Onawo (SDP–Nasarawa), provides a legal framework for safeguarding mining operations, enforcing environmental and safety standards, and promoting sustainable practices within Nigeria’s extractive sector.
According to Onawo, the law when it becomes operational, will have a broad mandate, including curbing illegal mining, rescuing trapped miners, providing emergency medical response, investigating mining accidents, and ensuring compliance with national mining regulations.
