Solid Minerals Reforms Require Strong Digital Identity System -Alake

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has emphasised the need for a credible digital identity system to strengthen governance, enhance security and support ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s mining sector.

Alake stated this in Abuja while receiving the management of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) led by the Director-General, Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, during a courtesy visit to his office.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Special Assistant media to the Minister, Lara Owoye-Wise, in Abuja

According to the statement, the minister describes NIMC as a critical institution in Nigeria’s development architecture, noting that effective governance in the modern era is driven by data, technology and reliable identity management systems.

The statement says the ongoing reforms in the solid minerals sector require robust collaboration with institutions such as NIMC to improve transparency, accountability and regulatory oversight across the mining value chain.

It stresses that digital identity systems are essential for tracking mining operations and tackling illegal activities in the sector.

“Without identification, we cannot trace; we cannot track, and insecurity will flourish. In the solid minerals sector, we need effective tracking of both legal and illegal operations”.

“A credible identity ecosystem will strengthen regulation, improve enforcement and support our efforts to sanitise the sector.”

According to the statement, the minister identifies technology, statistics, data gathering and digital identity as critical tools for evidence-based policymaking, efficient licensing, investment promotion and sustainable national development.

According to the statement, earlier, Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, highlighted areas of collaboration between both institutions, noting that the newly enacted NIMC Act, 2026, has positioned Nigeria to fully embrace a digital governance ecosystem.

She explains that integrating identity management into the solid minerals sector would facilitate database integration across government institutions, strengthen regulatory compliance, improve monitoring of operators and support the implementation of Community Development Agreements in mining host communities.

According to the statement, both organisations expressed commitment to deepening collaboration through technology-driven initiatives aimed at strengthening governance, improving security and accelerating reforms in Nigeria’s mining sector.

Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji