Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, has raised concerns about the increasing involvement of children in artisanal mining, stating that many boys are leaving school to engage in the activity due to the financial returns. According to Bago, this trend has become a major challenge in the state, with some children choosing mining over education after experiencing the financial benefits. He made these comments during an interview on Channels Television's Sunday Politics.
A UNICEF report covering Shiroro and other Local Government Areas in Niger State projects that there could be virtually no male pupils in Junior Secondary School Class 2 in some affected areas by 2027 if the trend continues. Bago stated that many boys have already left classrooms to engage in artisanal mining, describing the situation as a problem that requires urgent intervention. He noted that gold mining in Niger State has become habitual, with many children and young adults involved.
The governor highlighted the difficulty in convincing children to return to school after they have started earning money from mining. He stated that the financial attraction of mining has made it challenging to persuade some of them to abandon mining sites. Bago emphasized that communities that previously depended on farming are increasingly turning to mining, citing Shiroro as an example, where residents have abandoned farming for mining.
Bago called for stronger support from the Federal Government to tackle illegal and harmful mining activities in the state. He noted that the state government does not have direct control over security agencies and therefore cannot unilaterally direct arrests or other enforcement operations against miners. The governor requested an executive order from the Presidency and the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to prohibit mining in areas where the activity has become particularly problematic.
Bago also raised concerns about other activities taking place alongside illegal mining, including tree cutting, charcoal production, poaching, and the sale of animal hides and timber. He alleged that some foreign nationals are involved in financing and operating mining-related activities in the state, which is a further concern for the government. The governor emphasized the need for decisive action to address these issues.
The concerns raised by Bago come days after the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who were arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State. The incident has placed renewed attention on the wider impact of illegal mining in Niger State, particularly its effect on education, agriculture, the environment, and security. The Federal Government has suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and 23 other officers, and ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Key points
- Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, has expressed concern over the growing number of children abandoning school to engage in artisanal mining.
- A UNICEF report projects that there could be virtually no male pupils in Junior Secondary School Class 2 in some affected areas by 2027 if the trend continues.
- Bago has called for stronger support from the Federal Government to tackle illegal and harmful mining activities in the state.
