NASS and Solid Minerals Ministry Push for Mining Funding

On Monday in Abuja, the National Assembly and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, represented by Minister Dele Alak, called for the mining sector to be granted first-line charge status. This request aims to ensure steady and predictable funding for the sector.

Alak presented the ministry's budget performance for 2024 and 2025, along with a proposal for the 2026 budget, during a session with the joint National Assembly Committee on Solid Minerals Development, chaired by Ekong Sampson. The minister emphasized that granting first-line charge status would provide statutory releases and protect the ministry from delays in treasury disbursements, which have been inconsistent, particularly with zero capital releases undermining efforts to reposition mining as a key pillar for economic diversification.

Alak noted that as of January 31, 2026, only 50 percent of the 2025 overhead allocation had been released, with capital releases remaining at zero. He criticized the funding constraints that hinder investment and the unlocking of the solid minerals sector's potential.