By Yunus Olawale
*Usman Ibrahim Tabari, Executive Director, Corporate, KMDC.
The Executive Director, Corporate of
Kaduna Mining Development Company (KMDC), Usman Ibrahim Tabari, Executive Director, Corporate, has on behalf of the agency backed calls for collective industry advocacy to address multiple taxation, overlapping regulatory demands and inconsistent enforcement practices affecting mining operators in Nigeria, as industry leaders seek reforms to improve investment and business growth in the solid minerals sector.
The call, featured prominently at the Chief Executive Officers’ Forum during Nigeria Mining Week 2026 in Abuja, where mining executives identified the burden of multiple levies, uncertainty over regulatory responsibilities and shortages of skilled technical personnel as major constraints on the industry’s development.
The discussions brought renewed attention to the need for mining companies, industry associations and government authorities to work together towards a more transparent, predictable and harmonised regulatory environment.
Usman Ibrahim Tabari and other participants argued that mining operators should not be subjected to overlapping financial demands from different tiers of government without clear legal justification, particularly after obtaining licences and paying applicable statutory charges to the relevant federal authorities.
They warned that excessive levies and conflicting regulatory directives could increase operating costs, discourage long-term investment and undermine efforts to develop Nigeria’s vast mineral resources.
The forum also highlighted the importance of strengthening technical education and professional training to provide the mining industry with the skilled workforce required for exploration, extraction, mineral processing and other specialised operations.
MAN President Calls for Unified Industry Front
The President of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Oba Ayandele Ayanleke, urged major mining companies to unite in addressing regulatory inconsistencies, taxation challenges and other obstacles affecting their operations.
He emphasised that a coordinated industry response would strengthen the sector’s engagement with government and improve its capacity to articulate common concerns.
According to him, the growing recognition of MAN as a major voice in the mining industry presents an opportunity for the association and mining companies to engage policymakers more effectively on issues affecting investment and operations.
He indicated that the association would present the concerns raised at the forum to the government for consideration and appropriate action.
The position reflects a broader call for mining operators to move beyond isolated complaints and pursue collective advocacy on taxation, licensing, regulatory enforcement and the overall cost of doing business.
Industry leaders maintained that a unified approach would help the sector present its concerns more coherently and press for reforms capable of supporting sustainable growth.
They also stressed that a predictable operating environment was essential to attracting investors who must commit substantial capital to mineral exploration, equipment, infrastructure, processing facilities and other long-term projects.
Kaduna Mining Development Company Supports Collaboration
The Kaduna Mining Development Company’s support for collective advocacy reinforced the call for stronger cooperation among mining companies and industry associations in engaging government over regulatory and fiscal challenges.
The discussions underscored the importance of developing a common position on charges imposed on mining operators, the interpretation of applicable laws and the responsibilities of federal, state and local government authorities.
Participants argued that without greater coordination, overlapping demands could place additional financial pressure on operators, particularly companies that have already invested heavily in exploration and the development of mining assets.
They called for greater transparency in the assessment and collection of statutory fees, alongside clear guidance on the charges payable by operators and the authorities legally empowered to collect them.
The industry leaders maintained that legitimate government revenue interests should be protected without creating unnecessary duplication or uncertainty for businesses.
They also called for effective consultation between government and industry stakeholders before the introduction or enforcement of measures that could significantly affect mining operations.
For the Kaduna Mining Development Company and other industry stakeholders, collective engagement was presented as a practical means of ensuring that the concerns of operators are communicated through an organised platform rather than addressed through individual disputes.
Multiple Levies Raise Operating Costs
One of the major concerns raised at the forum was the reported imposition of multiple levies and additional financial demands on mining companies by federal, state and local government authorities.
Executives said some operators encountered demands for additional payments after obtaining licences and meeting their obligations to the relevant federal agencies.
They argued that such practices could expose companies to unpredictable costs and complicate financial planning, especially for investors undertaking capital-intensive projects with long development periods.
The participants also raised concerns about reported threats of shutdowns by local authorities over disputed fees and licensing arrangements.
According to the executives, uncertainty over the legality of some demands could create operational disruptions and weaken investor confidence in the sector.
They urged the government to clarify the respective responsibilities of the different tiers of government and establish effective mechanisms for resolving disputes over regulatory authority and revenue collection.
The concerns are particularly significant for an industry in which investors often need to commit substantial resources before commercial production begins.
Mining projects typically require extensive geological investigations, feasibility studies, equipment acquisition, infrastructure development and environmental assessments before generating returns.
Industry leaders therefore argued that avoidable regulatory uncertainty could discourage investment and delay the development of economically viable mineral deposits.
Overlapping Regulatory Demands Under Scrutiny
Participants also questioned the reported involvement of different government authorities in licensing and regulating mining operations.
Some executives alleged that local government authorities in parts of the South-South region, including areas around Port Harcourt, issue licences or make additional demands on mining operators despite the existence of federal licensing arrangements.
They called for clarification of the legal powers of the different authorities involved in mining administration, arguing that companies should be able to determine their obligations before committing capital to projects.
The executives further expressed concern about the reported presence of multiple enforcement and regulatory bodies at mining sites, sometimes creating uncertainty over which institution has primary responsibility for particular compliance requirements.
They said better coordination among relevant agencies would reduce conflicting directives, avoid unnecessary interruptions and improve compliance.
However, the specific licensing arrangements and legal authority of the various institutions cited by participants were not independently established at the forum. The allegations underscore the need for an authoritative clarification of the applicable legal framework and the respective responsibilities of the agencies involved.
Industry leaders also called for a more consistent approach to regulatory enforcement, arguing that companies should not face operational disruptions over disputed obligations without clear legal grounds.
They maintained that regulatory consistency would help create a more stable environment for both domestic and international investors.
Mining Industry Seeks Legal Clarity
The chief executives called for a review and clearer interpretation of the legal and regulatory framework governing Nigeria’s solid minerals industry.
They said operators needed a transparent system that clearly identifies licensing requirements, statutory fees, tax obligations and the respective responsibilities of regulatory authorities.
According to the participants, such clarity would allow investors to assess project costs more accurately, manage compliance obligations and make informed decisions about long-term capital commitments.
They also stressed the importance of predictable enforcement from the exploration stage through mine development, extraction, mineral processing and commercialisation.
The executives argued that uncertainty over applicable rules could expose companies to unexpected expenditure, delay production and weaken confidence in the investment climate.
They called for stronger institutional coordination to ensure that regulatory agencies operate within clearly defined mandates and that disputes are resolved through established procedures.
The forum consequently placed regulatory reform and harmonised engagement between government and industry at the centre of discussions on the future of mining in Nigeria.
Skills Shortage Threatens Sectoral Growth
Beyond taxation and regulatory challenges, the CEOs identified the shortage of qualified mining engineers and other technical professionals as another major obstacle to the development of the solid minerals sector.
They said mining companies continued to face difficulties recruiting professionals with the specialised expertise required for modern mining operations.
The shortage, they argued, could affect operational efficiency, project development and the industry’s ability to adopt advanced technologies and international best practices.
Participants therefore called for stronger collaboration between mining companies, universities, technical institutions and government agencies to expand professional training and develop a skilled domestic workforce.
They emphasised that capacity-building programmes should cover the entire mining value chain, including geology, mineral exploration, mine planning, engineering, extraction, mineral processing and environmental management.
The executives noted that mining requires specialised technical knowledge and careful project management, warning that inadequate expertise could expose investors to financial losses, operational inefficiencies and avoidable project delays.
They also advocated stronger links between educational institutions and industry operators to ensure that training programmes respond to the practical needs of mining companies.
According to the participants, developing local technical capacity would reduce skills gaps, improve productivity and strengthen Nigeria’s ability to maximise the economic value of its mineral resources.
Investment Potential Depends on Predictable Policies
The discussions at the CEOs’ Forum highlighted the relationship between regulatory certainty, workforce development and the ability of the solid minerals sector to attract investment.
Mining operators argued that the availability of mineral deposits alone would not guarantee industry growth without policies that support exploration, infrastructure development, processing and commercial production.
They maintained that investors needed confidence that licensing arrangements would remain transparent, applicable charges would be clearly defined and regulatory requirements would be enforced consistently.
Participants also stressed that government agencies and industry associations must maintain regular communication to identify emerging challenges and resolve disputes before they disrupt operations.
A coordinated framework, they argued, would help distinguish legitimate statutory obligations from disputed or overlapping demands and provide operators with clearer guidance on compliance.
For MAN, the collective advocacy approach offers a platform for consolidating the concerns of mining companies and presenting them to government as part of a broader reform agenda.
The Kaduna Mining Development Company’s support for this approach further highlights the importance of cooperation among industry stakeholders in seeking solutions to common challenges.
Government Engagement Expected to Follow
The MAN president’s pledge to convey the concerns raised at the forum to the government emerged as a significant outcome of the discussions.
The proposed engagement is expected to draw attention to multiple levies, disputed licensing arrangements, regulatory overlaps and the need for greater investment in technical education and professional training.
Industry stakeholders are seeking a framework that balances the government’s responsibility to collect legitimate revenue and enforce regulations with the need to provide a stable environment for private investment.
They believe that clearer rules, better coordination among regulatory institutions and stronger technical capacity would help reduce avoidable business costs and encourage more investment in mineral development and processing.
As Nigeria Mining Week 2026 continues to focus attention on the opportunities and constraints within the solid minerals industry, the concerns raised by mining executives underline the need to address both governance and capacity challenges.
For the sector to realise its economic potential, industry leaders maintain that government and operators must work together to establish a transparent regulatory environment, develop a competent workforce and promote responsible investment.
The challenge now is to translate the industry’s collective demands into practical policy measures that protect legitimate public interests while removing unnecessary barriers to mining investment and sustainable growth.
