UK-funded SPRiNG Links Mining Activities to Violence in Parts of Nigeria

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG), a UK-funded initiative has convened a ‘dissemination and policy dialogue’ workshop to unveil its latest research, which found a  nexus between mining and insecurity in North-central and North-west Nigeria.

This research comes at a critical moment in Nigeria’s ongoing debate over how best to address illegal mining, violence, and economic development in the solid minerals sector.

The research which was unveiled during a workshop held in Abuja, was conducted by Levin Sources, the Centre for Conflict Management and Peace Studies (CECOMPS) of the University of Jos, and the Centre for Peace and Development Studies (CPDS) of the Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, drawing on evidence from Benue, Plateau, and Kaduna States.

It came amid heightened national attention on mining-related insecurity. In December 2025, the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) proposed a six-month suspension of mining activities to audit licenses and curb terrorism financing allegedly linked to illegal mining.

The proposal has generated debate, with the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) opposing a blanket ban and advocating instead for stricter regulation and enforcement against illegal operators.

At the same time, the federal government recently lifted the 2021 mining ban in Zamfara State to revive the local economy and approved a nationwide ban on mineral processing plants in residential areas to address environmental and public health concerns, signalling a policy shift towards targeted regulation rather than broad suspensions.

Presenting the research findings, the study team highlighted that while illegal mining can intersect with insecurity, banditry, and criminal financing, mining-related violence is often shaped by weak regulations, poor governance, land disputes, exclusion of local communities, and the presence of armed actors, rather than mining activity alone.

The research noted that blanket bans risk undermining legitimate livelihoods and investment, while failing to address the root causes of violence.

Participants at the workshop, including policymakers, security actors, development partners, and civil society representatives engaged in robust discussions on how evidence from the study can inform more balanced responses that address security concerns without harming economic opportunities for individual and national economic growth.

Key issues raised included the division of federal and state powers over mineral resources, the economic costs of broad suspensions, the need for improved oversight of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), and the importance of conflict-sensitive regulation of the sector.

Speaking on behalf of SPRiNG, the Team Leader, Dr. Ukoha Ukiwo, underscored the relevance of the research to current policy debates.

“Nigeria is at a crossroads in how it responds to mining-related insecurity. This research provides timely evidence to help policymakers move beyond blanket bans towards targeted, conflict-sensitive regulation that addresses illegal activity, protects communities, and supports legitimate livelihoods,” Ukiwo said.

The workshop concluded with a panel discussion and an interactive question-and-answer session, during which participants reflected on practical policy entry points, institutional coordination, and ways to translate the findings into action at federal, state, and community levels.

Through the dissemination workshop, SPRiNG said it reaffirmed its commitment to supporting evidence-based policymaking and inclusive dialogue on security and economic governance, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected regions.

The programme, it said, continues to work with government institutions, communities, and development partners to strengthen resilience, reduce violence, and promote sustainable peace in Nigeria.

The SPRiNG Programme is a four-year initiative (2024-2028) funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) implemented by Tetra Tech International Development, in partnership with Nextier SPD (Nextier), the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD).