Mining Expert Calls for Decentralization to End Illegal Mining Crisis in Northern Nigeria
Mr. Denzel Henry Akogwu, a prominent mining expert and Chairman of Elipse International Limited, has warned that only a radical shift toward decentralized governance can halt the tide of illegal mining currently destabilizing Northern Nigeria.
Speaking on the region’s vast mineral wealth—which includes gold, lithium, and gemstones—Akogwu noted that these resources have become a “double-edged sword,” fueling insecurity and environmental ruin rather than economic prosperity.
The Problem: A “Regulatory Vacuum”
Akogwu argued that the Nigerian Mineral and Mining Act of 2007 is no longer fit for purpose. By centralizing all authority in the federal government, the law has sidelined state and local authorities, leaving them powerless to police the mining activities happening in their own backyards.
“The centralization of regulatory authority has disenfranchised state and local governments, hindering effective oversight and enforcement,” Akogwu stated.
The Consequences of Illegal Mining
The expert highlighted a grim cycle of “epidemic proportions” caused by unregulated artisanal mining:
Public Health Disasters: He cited the 2010 Zamfara lead poisoning outbreak, which killed over 400 people, as a warning of the dangers of toxic chemicals like mercury and lead.
Security Threats: Illegal mining camps often serve as breeding grounds for broader regional instability.
Economic Loss: Despite the presence of high-value minerals like tantalite and barite, local communities remain trapped in poverty and unemployment.
The Proposed “Integrated Framework”
To reclaim the sector, Akogwu proposed a two-pronged solution focused on local empowerment and high-tech surveillance, which are:
Solution Pillar – Action Items
Decentralization – Amend the Mining Act to allow States to issue licenses and enforce safety standards directly.
Intelligence Hub – Establish a National Mineral Intelligence and Surveillance Center to track unauthorized excavations using modern technology.
Security Task Force – Form a specialized Northern Region Mining Security Task Force combining the military, police, and local vigilantes.
Our correspondent reports that Denzel Henry Akogwu is a recognized leader in the Nigerian mining sector. Based in Jos, Plateau State, he was recently honored as the 2025 Young Corporate Entrepreneur and Leadership of the Year by the International Institute of Professional Corporate Entrepreneurship and Leadership (IIPCEL). He maintains that the region’s mineral wealth can only catalyze growth if it is harnessed through a sustainable, community-inclusive legal framework.
