Nigerian Senate has passed the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service Establishment Bill 2025, a landmark legislative measure aimed at curbing illegal mining and strengthening regulatory oversight in the country’s solid minerals sector.
The bill, which seeks to establish a specialised enforcement agency known as the Mines Rangers Service, was passed after the presentation of a report by Senator Ekong Samson, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development.
According to the report, the proposed Mines Rangers Service will be tasked with securing mining sites, enforcing compliance with Nigeria’s mining laws, and providing a visible regulatory presence across the country’s mineral-rich zones.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio lauded the bill’s passage, describing it as a strategic move to enhance governance in the mining industry.
“This is a timely intervention that will strengthen our regulatory framework and ensure that Nigeria’s mineral resources are properly managed,” Akpabio said.
Senator Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South) also voiced strong support for the bill, emphasizing the importance of on-site enforcement.
“If established, the Rangers Service will be physically present at mining sites across the country. They will serve as the eyes on the ground to monitor the extraction of our national resources,” Maidoki said.
He noted that with major mining investors now operating in Nigeria, there is an urgent need to safeguard investments and ensure that the country derives full value from its mineral wealth.
“We must protect our assets and ensure that the benefits of mining are felt by all Nigerians,” he added.
The bill was considered in the committee of the whole and subsequently read for the third time before being passed by the Senate.
The Mines Rangers Service, once established, is expected to operate in collaboration with existing regulatory bodies and security agencies, providing technical enforcement and intelligence support to combat illegal mining and environmental degradation.
The passage of the bill marks a significant step in Nigeria’s efforts to reform its mining sector, attract responsible investment, and promote sustainable resource management.
