The Federal Government has set in motion a review of existing mining laws as part of efforts to curb illegal mining across Nigeria.
The President of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), Ms. Rose Ndong, made this known on Friday, the 20th of March, 2026, during a press briefing ahead of the society’s 262nd council meeting in Uyo. The event is themed: “Optimizing Efficiency, Sustainability and Resilience in Natural Resources Management and Infrastructure Development.”
Ndong pointed out that Nigeria’s mining laws have not been updated since 2007. She said the government, alongside key stakeholders including NMGS, has started identifying loopholes in the current framework, with plans to address them soon.
She stressed the need for a fresh legal structure that reflects current realities in the mining sector. She also called on state governments to respect the legal framework once the review is completed, noting that mining regulation remains under federal control.
“The Ministry of Mines is already working with stakeholders towards reviewing the current law which came into place in 2007. So from 2007 to now, the government felt the need to review it. Not only the government, some bodies like us can spot some gaps.
“We cannot encourage state governments to issue mining licences to companies. For now, the Federal Government is vested with such power, but we are expecting that it would review those laws to tackle illegal mining across Nigeria,” she said.
Speaking on the upcoming “Uyo 2026” conference, Ndong said the gathering will focus on new developments in geosciences and the future of Nigeria’s mining sector.
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“As a nation richly endowed with natural resources, Nigeria must adopt innovative, efficient, and sustainable approaches in managing these resources, while also building resilient infrastructure that can support long-term economic growth and environmental stability,” she said.
She urged Akwa Ibom State to take full advantage of the opportunities tied to the conference.
Ndong added that Governor Umo Eno and several international guests are expected at the event. Participants will also tour selected geoscience and mining sites across the state, chosen to highlight the connection between geotourism and economic value.
“It will also open up investment opportunities in the solid minerals, energy, and infrastructure sectors, and promote the state’s rich geotourism potential and natural endowments to a global audience,” she added.