Mohamed Tunis, the Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States Parliament, unveiled this distressing statistic during the inauguration of a three-day seminar titled “Illegal mining and its implications in the ECOWAS Region.”

Tunis emphasized that a staggering 80% of mining operations in the northwest region of Nigeria are carried out unlawfully, resulting in a substantial loss of potential mining revenue for the nation.

He highlighted the critical role of the mining sector in contributing to the GDP of various countries within the ECOWAS region, contrasting Nigeria’s limited gains from the sector despite its significant mineral resources.

“The mining sector has the potential to contribute 7.5 per cent to Ghana’s GDP, 10.2 per cent to the GDP of Burkina Faso, 4 per cent to the GDP of Cote d’Ivoire while Nigeria receives only 9% from the sector with 80 per cent of the mining in the country’s North West region carried out illegally,” he said.

Furthermore, Tunis highlighted the adverse effects of illegal mining, including economic deprivation and increased insecurity such as banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency.

He stressed the urgent need for effective regulation to mitigate these challenges and enhance the sector’s positive impact on Member States’ economies.

The ECOWAS Parliament serves as the representative body for the 15 member states of the Economic Community of West African States.

With its 115 seats and 14 committees, it provides a platform for regional dialogue and concerted action on crucial matters such as mining, security, and economic development.