The House of Representatives has renewed calls for robust reforms in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, positioning it as a critical engine for economic diversification beyond oil dependence.
Speaker Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, represented by Rep. Mark Oseni, said on Thursday that transforming the sector into a key driver of growth was “an imperative, not an option” for building a resilient and inclusive economy. He spoke at a public hearing on 12 reform bills aimed at overhauling the legal and institutional framework for solid minerals development.
“This hearing is not just a procedural requirement,” Abbas told participants. “It is a fundamental pillar of our democratic process—an opportunity for robust engagement and diverse perspectives on the future of this vital sector. For decades, our economy has relied too heavily on a single commodity. These bills tackle the sector’s key challenges—laws, institutions, funding, and human capital development—as part of our commitment to harness Nigeria’s mineral wealth responsibly.”
He urged stakeholders to offer practical, high-quality recommendations that would shape effective and enduring legislation.
Committee Chairman on Solid Minerals, Rep. Jonathan Gaza Gbewfi, described the initiative as “a strategic step toward repositioning the sector as a true pillar of Nigeria’s economic transformation.”
Gbewfi highlighted the sector’s untapped potential for job creation, revenue generation, and industrialisation but said progress had been stalled for years by outdated laws, weak institutions, and inadequate funding.
“This public hearing gives government agencies, industry operators, communities, academics, and civil society the platform to influence reforms that truly reflect Nigeria’s realities and aspirations,” he added.
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