The Federal Government is considering the use of digital identity technology to improve oversight of Nigeria’s mining industry, with the aim of tracking operators, strengthening regulation and tackling illegal mining activities.
The proposal was discussed during a meeting in Abuja between the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, and the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Abisoye Coker-Odusote, alongside members of her management team.
According to a statement issued on Sunday, July 19, by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Lara Owoeye-Wise, both agencies are exploring ways to integrate digital identity into the solid minerals sector to improve governance, security and transparency.
Alake described NIMC as a vital institution for national development, noting that modern governance depends on accurate data and credible identity systems.
“NIMC occupies a critical position in translating policy into reality. It is pivotal to the development of any nation because governance today is driven by data, technology and credible identity systems,” the minister said.
He explained that ongoing reforms in the mining sector require closer collaboration with agencies responsible for identity management, particularly to improve accountability and enforcement.
According to the minister, a reliable digital identity system would enable authorities to identify legitimate mining operators, monitor activities across the industry and clamp down on illegal operations.
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“Without identification, we cannot trace; we cannot track, and insecurity will flourish. In the solid minerals sector, we need effective tracking of both legal and illegal operations.
“A credible identity ecosystem will strengthen regulation, improve enforcement and support our efforts to sanitise the sector,” he said.
Alake added that technology, data collection, statistics and digital identity remain essential for evidence-based policymaking, efficient licensing and attracting investment into the sector.
He noted that better data would also help government understand the activities of operators and design policies that support sustainable growth.
Responding, Coker-Odusote said the recently enacted NIMC Act 2026 had expanded opportunities for integrating digital identity into government operations.
According to her, deploying NIMC’s identity infrastructure in the mining sector would improve regulatory compliance, strengthen security and support better coordination among government agencies.
She said the system would also enhance the monitoring of mining operators while improving the implementation of Community Development Agreements in mining host communities.
Coker-Odusote added that stronger digital identity would enable government institutions to build more reliable databases, improve transparency and deliver public services more efficiently.
She also said the commission’s infrastructure would make it easier for regulators to verify mining operators and monitor activities across the country.
Both organisations expressed their commitment to working together on technology-driven initiatives aimed at improving governance, accountability and security in Nigeria’s mining industry.