Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has called for mining to be removed from Nigeria’s Exclusive Legislative List, arguing that states would perform better if they were given greater responsibility for managing mineral resources within their territories.
Makinde made the call while speaking at the APM North-West town hall meeting in Katsina, where he outlined his position on economic restructuring, governance and the devolution of responsibilities from the Federal Government to the states.
Under the 1999 Constitution, as amended, mines and minerals, including oilfields, oil mining, geological surveys and natural gas, fall under the Federal Government’s legislative jurisdiction. Makinde is therefore proposing a constitutional change that would give state governments a greater role in regulating and managing mining activities, while the Federal Government retains an oversight function.
“Right now, the issue of mining is on the Exclusive Legislative List in our constitution. Devolve that responsibility to the states and let there be oversight only at the federal level. They will do better,” Makinde said.
His proposal came against the backdrop of the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who were being held in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State. The deaths triggered protests in Minna and prompted the Federal Government to order an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The NSCDC initially linked the deaths to a suspected illness, while some survivors and protesters raised allegations concerning overcrowding and poor ventilation. Authorities subsequently suspended the Niger State NSCDC commandant pending investigation.
Reacting to the incident, Makinde questioned the circumstances that drive Nigerians into illegal mining and argued that the country must look beyond enforcement alone when addressing the problem.
“Is it their fault that they were born in Nigeria? Is it their fault that they were looking for means of surviving? No, sir. The answer is no,” he said.
The governor further argued that efforts to tackle illegal mining should address both the miners and the market that sustains illegal extraction. In his view, focusing only on those involved in mining without addressing the demand for illegally obtained minerals leaves a significant part of the problem unresolved.
Makinde also linked his proposed mining reform to his broader argument for a more decentralised system of governance. He maintained that state governments, being closer to the people and the resources within their territories, could assume greater responsibility while the Federal Government continues to provide national standards, regulation and oversight.
Beyond mining, the APM presidential candidate criticised President Bola Tinubu over his extended absence from Nigeria and raised questions about the constitutional procedure for transferring presidential powers during periods when the President is unable to discharge the functions of his office.
Makinde cited Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that when the President is proceeding on vacation or is otherwise unable to perform the functions of office, he should transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Under the same section, if such a declaration is not transmitted within 21 days, the National Assembly may, by resolution, mandate the Vice-President to perform the functions of President in an acting capacity.
Makinde said he would follow the same constitutional provision if elected President, promising to formally transmit power to his Vice-President whenever he is away on vacation and unable to perform his official responsibilities.
The Katsina town hall formed part of the APM’s wider engagement ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Makinde presenting his proposed approach as a broader “Reset Nigeria” agenda focused on economic productivity, security, governance and greater devolution of responsibilities.
His call for mining devolution therefore places resource control, constitutional reform and the management of Nigeria’s vast mineral resources at the centre of his emerging presidential campaign message.
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