The House of Representatives has stated the development of solid minerals is key to Nigeria’s quest for economic diversification through the non-oil sectors.
This was disclosed at a public hearing on 12 bills to help develop the solid minerals sector held by the House Committee on Solid Minerals on Thursday.
In his opening remarks, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen said developing the solid mineral sector would help Nigeria develop a robust economy and reduce its over reliance on oil revenue.
Speaker Abbas who was represented by Hon. Mark Useni said developing the sector is not an option but an imortant alternative of building a diversified, resilient, and inclusive economy.
According to him, the public hearing is not merely a procedural step; but a fundamental pillar of the democratic process, as it offers a vital platform for robust public engagement and for capturing a diverse range of perspectives on legislation that will shape the future of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
Speaker noted that the bills before for consideration is strategic in the national economic agenda adding that “for decades, our economy has been heavily reliant on a single commodity”.
He said, “As we look towards building a diversified, resilient, and inclusive economy, the development of our solid minerals sector is not just an option—it is an imperative. These bills collectively address the key challenges and opportunities in this sector, from legal frameworks and institutional reforms to funding mechanisms and human capital development.
He added that the bills were a testament of the House’s commitment to building the intellectual and technical capacity required to harness the mineral wealth responsibly.
He emphasised that the success of the legislative efforts hinges on the quality of the input the House recieve from the stakeholders, adding that their contributions would enable the committee to refine the bills into comprehensive, forward-looking, and effective laws that would truly serve the national interest.
In his address, Chairman of the House Committee on Solid Minerals Hon. Jonathan Gaza Gbewfi said the public hearing is not just a constitutional duty, but also a strategic step towards repositioning the solid minerals sector as a true pillar of Nigeria’s economic transformation.
He said, “As we are all aware, the solid minerals sector holds enormous potential for national growth, job creation, revenue generation, and industrial development. Yet, for decades, this potential has remained underutilised due to outdated laws, weak institutional frameworks, and poor funding mechanisms.
“This House, through the committee on Solid Minerals Development, is determined to reverse that trend by strengthening the legislative foundation of the sector”.
He explained that the public hearing provides a platform for all stakeholders, government agencies, industry players, community representatives, academia, and civil society to contribute their knowledge, perspectives, and recommendations.
He noted that the committee was committed to a participatory process because the success of these legislative efforts depends on how well they reflect the realities and aspirations of all stakeholders.
