The Nigerian mining sector, overshadowed by the oil and gas industry for a long time, stands at a pivotal juncture with a renewed focus on unlocking its vast potential to drive economic growth and wealth creation. Despite being endowed with abundant mineral resources capable of driving economic growth and fostering prosperity, the sector has struggled with decades of governmental neglect mostly attributed to the discovery of oil and gas, diverting attention and resources away from the mining industry, thereby hindering its growth.

Despite the enormous potential of the mining sector to accelerate Nigeria’s economic growth and prosperity, several factors have continued to impede the sector’s capacity to perform optimally. The several decades during which the sector was neglected played a significant role in its sub-optimal performance. While several attempts are being made to revive the sector, it is clear that there is still a lot to be done, especially around strengthening the legal, regulatory, and institutional foundations to provide the appropriate conditions for growth and development.

In this article, Samuel Iwuchukwu explores the legal and regulatory framework of the mining sector in Nigeria, providing a brief historical overview of the different aspects of the Nigerian mining industry. The article also seeks to provide an understanding of the unique challenges within the sector and the opportunities that abound.

Read the full article on the evolving landscape in Nigeria’s mining industry, here.

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