Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has raised serious questions about the management of billions of naira meant for Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, calling on Nigerians to demand accountability from those in charge.
The Kogi Central lawmaker made the call following a legislative retreat organized by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, where she joined other key figures, including Hon. Minister Dele Alake, Senator Ekong Sampson, and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal.
The retreat offered a forum for candid conversations regarding the future of Nigeria’s mining industry and was characterized as a positive interface between the legislative and executive branches. However, it also revealed gaps that require immediate attention, according to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a statement released after the event, the senator highlighted three critical areas that she believes require immediate action: transparency in foreign partnerships, proper legislation for the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company, and accountability for the Natural Resources Fund.
Her first concern centers on the agreements that Nigeria has been signing with foreign mining companies. According to the senator, there is a troubling lack of openness about the terms of these deals.
“Transparency of processes by disclosing all MoUs and agreements entered into with foreign partners” is essential, she said.
If Nigerians don’t know what has been promised or given away, they can’t hold their leaders responsible.
The issue of secret or poorly negotiated mining contracts is not new in Nigeria. Over the years, there have been reports of foreign companies securing favorable terms that leave little benefit for local communities. In some cases, entire mineral deposits have been licensed out without proper environmental impact assessments or community consultations.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s call for disclosure suggests she may have seen or heard things during the retreat that troubled her. While she did not name specific agreements, her statement was clear: Nigerians deserve to know who is mining what, where, and under what conditions.
Her second point focused on the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company, a government entity that is supposed to oversee mining operations and ensure that national interests are protected. However, the senator claims that the business is functioning without the necessary legal framework.
“Legislation for the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company is crucial in setting administrative and operational standards; environmental safeguards, amongst others,” she noted.
Without a law defining its powers and responsibilities, the company operates in a grey area. This makes it difficult to enforce standards or hold officials accountable when things go wrong.
Environmental safeguards are particularly important in the mining sector. Deforestation, water pollution, and land degradation can result from mining that is not properly regulated. Communities living near mining sites often bear the brunt of these environmental costs while seeing little or none of the financial benefits.
The senator’s call for legislation suggests that she is not just interested in increasing mineral production but in ensuring that it is done sustainably and in a way that protects the rights of local people.
Her third point, however, drew the most criticism. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan drew attention to the Natural Resources Fund, an account that was established by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to support the development of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
According to the law, the fund receives 1.68 percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation. Over time, that percentage ought to amount to trillions of naira, considering the magnitude of Nigeria’s yearly budget.
So where is the money?
“This account established by President Obasanjo should have trillions of naira for the development of our solid minerals sector,” the senator said. “Over to you, Nigerians. Ask the right questions!!!”
Her claim suggests that the fund may have been mismanaged or, worse, that money was embezzled. If it were true, it would be a huge case of poor management and a betrayal of the promise to develop Nigeria’s mining potential.
The Natural Resources Fund was meant to be a game-changer. Nigeria is richly endowed with solid minerals, including gold, lithium, coal, limestone, and gemstones. If properly harnessed, the sector could diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil.
But for years, the mining sector has remained underdeveloped. Illegal mining is rampant, government oversight is weak, and local communities rarely benefit from the minerals extracted from their lands.
The fact that resources intended to develop the sector are not being used for that purpose is one of the issues, according to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. Someone must take responsibility if trillions of naira have been sitting in an account without being used for technology, infrastructure, or training.
Her call for Nigerians to “ask the right questions” is a challenge to both citizens and lawmakers. She is essentially saying that this is not just a government issue—it’s a national one. Ensuring the transparent and equitable management of Nigeria’s natural resources is of interest to all.
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has not yet responded to the senator’s statement. Minister Dele Alake, who attended the retreat, has been vocal about his plans to revitalize the sector, but questions about past management of funds may complicate those efforts.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan herself is no stranger to difficult questions. Since her election to the Senate, she has built a reputation as a vocal advocate for transparency and good governance. Representing Kogi Central, a senatorial district rich in mineral resources, she has seen firsthand how poor management of the sector affects ordinary people.
Her statement ended with a patriotic note, signing off as “Patriotically Nigerian from Kogi Central.” It’s a reminder that her concerns are not partisan or personal but rooted in a genuine desire to see Nigeria’s resources used for national development.
The purpose of the retreat where these issues were discussed was to provide a forum for cooperation between the executive and the legislature. However, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s action demonstrates that cooperation does not equate to quiet. It entails posing challenging queries and demanding responses.
As Nigerians digest her statement, the pressure is now on the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and other relevant agencies to provide clarity. How much money is in the Natural Resources Fund? What agreements have been signed with foreign partners? And what legislative steps are being taken to regulate the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company?
These aren’t merely technical inquiries. Whether it goes to the people or into private pockets, they go right to the heart of Nigeria’s wealth management.
The challenge has been temporarily accepted by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The question is whether anyone will take it up.
This report was produced by the editorial team at The Gazette News | Latest News In Nigeria & the World in line with our commitment to accuracy, fairness, and responsible journalism. Information in this article is based on verified sources available at the time of publication. The Gazette News | Latest News In Nigeria & the World may update the story as new facts emerge or additional context becomes available.
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