ABUJA — The Federal Government has reaffirmed its exclusive constitutional authority over mining activities in Nigeria, faulting the operations of a state-backed anti-illegal mining task force for allegedly exceeding its legal mandate NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
Officials of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, speaking through the Federal Mines Office, accused the Cross River State task force—led by Prince Paul Efiong—of interfering in federally regulated mining operations, warning that such actions could undermine regulatory order and due process in the sector.
Engineer Ayelabola Ulugbome, a representative of the Federal Mines Office, said mining regulation falls strictly within the exclusive legislative list, leaving no room for parallel enforcement structures outside federal oversight.
“The activities of the task force amount to unlawful interference and obstruction of our statutory duties,” Ulugbome said. “Mining regulation is the responsibility of the Federal Government, and any attempt to operate outside this framework risks creating confusion and weakening accountability.”
He maintained that the legal position is clearly defined under existing statutes, particularly the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, which vests control, licensing, and monitoring of mineral resources in the Federal Government.
Ulugbome also cited a February 2026 judgment of the Federal High Court, which he said reaffirmed federal authority over mineral resources and regulatory enforcement, arguing that the continued activities of the task force run contrary to that ruling.
According to him, while state governments may play supportive roles in areas such as environmental monitoring and community relations, they lack the constitutional backing to independently regulate or enforce mining operations.
Legal analysts contacted on the development echoed similar views, noting that Nigeria’s constitutional framework places mineral resource governance firmly under federal control. They added, however, that ambiguities in intergovernmental collaboration often create friction, particularly in resource-rich states.
The Federal Mines Office further expressed concern that the actions of the task force could complicate enforcement mechanisms and disrupt established regulatory processes.
Beyond jurisdictional issues, Ulugbome alleged that the task force’s activities may have broader implications for transparency and compliance within the sector, though he did not provide detailed evidence in the briefing.
Efforts to reach representatives of the state task force for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between federal and state actors over control and oversight of natural resources, a recurring issue in Nigeria’s extractive industries.
Stakeholders warn that unless clearly defined coordination mechanisms are strengthened, such conflicts could continue to pose challenges to effective regulation, discourage investment, and weaken confidence in the mining sector.
The Federal Government, however, insisted that adherence to constitutional provisions remains essential to maintaining order, transparency, and efficiency in the administration of the country’s solid mineral resources.
