The Federal Government has intensified efforts to strengthen governance in the solid minerals sector, with the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, holding strategic talks with the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, on the deployment of digital identity to support ongoing sector reforms.
The meeting focused on leveraging Nigeria’s national digital identity infrastructure to improve transparency, regulatory oversight, security and accountability across the mining industry.
Speaking after the meeting, Alake said a credible identity management system remains fundamental to effective governance, noting that reliable identity data would enable government to monitor activities in the mining sector, strengthen regulation and enhance evidence-based policymaking.
He said the integration of digital identity into the solid minerals sector would complement the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to sanitise the industry, curb illegal mining, improve compliance and build investor confidence.
The minister also highlighted the strategic importance of collaboration between the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and NIMC, describing inter-agency cooperation as essential to achieving sustainable reforms.
According to him, the recently enacted NIMC Act provides an opportunity for government institutions to deepen collaboration through the use of technology and trusted identity data to improve service delivery and governance.
Alake expressed confidence that stronger synergy between both agencies would accelerate reforms in the mining sector, promote transparency in mineral resource management and support the Federal Government’s broader economic diversification agenda.
The meeting forms part of ongoing efforts by the Tinubu administration to modernise Nigeria’s mining industry through digital innovation, improved regulation and institutional collaboration.
