Ministry of Solid Minerals and NIMC Collaborate to Boost E-Governance and Public Services

The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has partnered with the National Identity Management Commission to bolster digital governance, enhance security, and accelerate reforms in the solid minerals sector, as announced over the weekend.

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This collaboration was revealed in a statement signed by Lara Owoeye-Wise, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, who expressed enthusiasm and optimism about the partnership and its potential to sanitize the sector.

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Dr Alake received the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Dr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, and her management team on a courtesy visit to his Abuja office, where he described NIMC as crucial to Nigeria's development architecture.

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According to Dr Alake, effective governance is unattainable without a reliable identity management system, emphasizing that technology and trustworthy data are now essential tools for planning, regulation, investment, and national security.

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The Minister noted that the ongoing reforms in the solid minerals sector require robust collaboration with institutions like NIMC to strengthen transparency and accountability across the mining value chain.

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Dr Alake stated that NIMC plays a vital role in translating policy into reality, as governance is now driven by data, technology, and credible identity systems, and without identification, tracing and tracking are impossible, allowing insecurity to thrive.

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In the solid minerals sector, Dr Alake emphasized the need for effective tracking of both legal and illegal operations, adding that a credible identity ecosystem will enhance regulation, improve enforcement, and support efforts to sanitize the sector.

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The Minister identified technology, statistics, data gathering, and digital identity as critical enablers for evidence-based policymaking, improved regulatory oversight, efficient licensing, investment promotion, and national development.

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Earlier, NIMC Director General Dr Coker-Odusote highlighted several opportunities for collaboration between the two institutions, noting that the newly enacted NIMC Act has positioned Nigeria to fully embrace a digital governance ecosystem.

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Dr Coker-Odusote explained that deeper integration of identity management into the solid minerals sector would facilitate database integration across government institutions, enhance regulatory compliance, strengthen security and law enforcement, improve monitoring of operators, and provide stronger support for the implementation of Community Development Agreements in mining host communities.

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The DG further stated that the Commission's digital identity infrastructure would enable government agencies to build more reliable databases, improve service delivery, and foster greater transparency in public administration.

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Both parties expressed commitment to strengthening collaboration through technology-driven initiatives that will support the Ministry's ongoing reforms, improve governance, reinforce security, and contribute to sustainable development in Nigeria's mining sector.

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The meeting also highlighted the significance of the recently signed National Identity Management Commission Act, 2026, which provides a stronger legal framework for Nigeria's digital identity ecosystem.

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The Act is expected to accelerate secure identity verification, improve inter-agency data integration, enhance public service delivery, strengthen law enforcement, promote transparency and accountability, and lay a solid foundation for a modern digital economy.

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By providing every eligible Nigerian and legal resident with a trusted digital identity, the legislation marks a major milestone in the country's journey towards more efficient, technology-driven governance.