The Senate has called for an urgent overhaul of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector following the deadly collapse of a coal mine in Kogi State that reportedly claimed about 20 lives.
The lawmakers, in a resolution adopted on Tuesday, criticised what they described as weaknesses in Nigeria’s mining safety regime and warned that more lives could be lost unless the Federal Government strengthens regulation and enforces strict safety standards across the sector.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Isah Jibrin, representing Kogi East, who drew the attention of the Senate to the worsening safety, environmental and humanitarian challenges associated with unsafe coal mining activities in Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro Local Government Areas of Kogi State.
The Senate expressed grief over the 14 July 2026 landslide at Alufele in Enjema District, where several miners were reportedly trapped underground after a large section of the mine collapsed.
The disaster was said to have killed about 20 people, injured several others and sent heavy-duty trucks into deep mining pits.
According to the lawmakers, coal-rich communities including Enjema, Okaba and Ikah, located within the Ankpa Coal Block of the Anambra Basin, are situated on fragile geological formations that are susceptible to landslides, subsidence and other forms of catastrophic ground failure.
The Senate attributed the increasing number of mining accidents to unsafe mining practices, including the widespread use of the room-and-pillar method without adequate structural reinforcement, as well as weak regulatory oversight and poor compliance with established safety standards.
The lawmakers also expressed concern over the conditions under which many artisanal and small-scale miners operate, noting that thousands work without formal employment contracts, health insurance, life insurance or adequate occupational hazard protection.
They said the absence of such protections often leaves families of deceased miners without adequate compensation when accidents occur.
The Senate further warned that illegal and poorly regulated mining operations continue to cause environmental degradation, destroy farmlands, pollute water sources and deprive host communities of their livelihoods.
Consequently, the upper chamber urged the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to immediately conduct a comprehensive nationwide audit of licensed mining operators and strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
The Senate also called on the Federal Government to establish a statutory Mining Workers’ Compensation Scheme and a Mine Rehabilitation and Victims Support Fund to provide prompt assistance and compensation to victims of mining disasters and their families.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has launched an investigation into alleged financial misconduct, funding irregularities and operational lapses within the mining marshals.
The probe followed claims that more than ₦2 billion was allegedly traced to the bank account of a state commander of the security outfit.
The resolution was adopted following a motion sponsored by Abdulmaleek Danga during plenary, seeking a comprehensive investigation into the activities, legal framework, funding structure and alleged corrupt practices within the mining marshals.
Danga said the corps, which comprises more than 2,200 personnel drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, was established to tackle illegal mining, secure mining sites and protect the country’s mineral resources.
In a related development, the Ebonyi State Government has announced plans to establish a special task force to monitor mining companies operating in the state and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
The Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Chinedu Nkah, disclosed this on Tuesday during a familiarisation tour of quarry and mining sites in Ishielu and Ohaukwu Local Government Areas.
Nkah said the state government would closely monitor environmental impact assessment reports, Community Development Agreements and other statutory obligations of mining operators.
He explained that the proposed task force would enforce stricter compliance with mining regulations and require companies to reclaim abandoned mining pits, honour their Community Development Agreements, improve workers’ welfare and adhere to environmental standards.
The inspection tour, which involved other senior government officials, was aimed at assessing the operations of mining companies, determining their level of compliance with relevant laws and regulations, and examining their relationships with host communities.
