The Commander of the Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Assistant Commandant Attah John Onoja, has called for greater focus on resource nationalism and the strategic exploitation of Nigeria’s solid mineral resources to drive economic growth, strengthen national security and promote sustainable development.
Onoja made the call while delivering a keynote address at the 4th Nigerian Nation Builders Annual Conference in Abuja. The conference was themed, “Effective Harnessing and Utilization of Solid Minerals as Panacea for Nation Building in Nigeria.”
He said Nigeria’s mineral resources could help achieve economic sovereignty and reduce the country’s dependence on oil revenue.
Addressing participants from government institutions, the private sector, academia and civil society, Onoja said Nigeria had abundant mineral resources but had struggled for decades with poor regulation, illegal mining and excessive reliance on crude oil.
He noted that despite having more than 44 commercially viable minerals across over 500 locations nationwide, the solid minerals sector had historically made only a marginal contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
Onoja identified illegal mining as a major threat to national development, warning that it fuels banditry, terrorism, money laundering and significant revenue losses.
He said nation building would remain difficult as long as criminal networks continued to exploit strategic national assets outside the law.
The Mining Marshals commander described solid minerals as an opportunity to diversify the economy, noting that the resources are spread across all geopolitical zones.
He said effective management of the sector could strengthen fiscal federalism, create jobs, support industrialisation and reduce dependence on federal allocations.
Speaking on the activities of the Mining Marshals, Onoja said security operations had disrupted illegal mining activities and helped restore confidence among legitimate investors.
He disclosed that the specialised unit had restored more than 100 mining sites to their rightful owners and made about 700 arrests linked to illegal mining, while several cases were already before the Federal High Court.
He explained that the Mining Marshals were established not only to enforce mining laws but also to protect legitimate title holders, secure mining communities and provide a conducive environment for investment.
Onoja also highlighted reforms aimed at formalising artisanal mining, encouraging value addition, improving data transparency and ensuring host communities benefit from mining activities through enforceable development agreements.
He advocated what he called “Strategic Resource Nationalism”, urging Nigeria to learn from countries such as Japan, China and India, which he said had transformed their economies by prioritising national interests in managing strategic resources.
He stressed that mineral resources should be treated not merely as export commodities but as assets that could support industrialisation, technological advancement and national prosperity.
The conference also featured tributes to Onoja for his role in protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources and tackling illegal mining.
Representing the Chairman of the Occasion, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole (Rtd.), commended Onoja’s courage, professionalism and patriotism.
Bankole described the Mining Marshals commander as an emerging symbol of dedicated public service in Nigeria’s extractive sector, adding that his efforts to protect the nation’s mineral wealth had earned widespread respect.
He said Onoja’s commitment to duty and leadership of the Mining Marshals had contributed to efforts to curb illegal mining, protect national revenue and restore investor confidence.
Bankole added that the unit’s operations had become an important part of the Federal Government’s strategy to use solid minerals for economic transformation and national development.
Onoja urged stakeholders in government, traditional institutions, the judiciary, legislature and local communities to support efforts to protect Nigeria’s mineral resources.
He said the wealth beneath the country’s soil must translate into prosperity for ordinary citizens.
He expressed confidence that ongoing reforms in the solid minerals sector would promote economic diversification and make mining a major driver of national development.
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