The Senate on Tuesday moved to tighten oversight of Nigeria’s mining industry following the tragic coal mine collapse in Kogi State that killed about 20 workers, declaring that the era of weak regulation and unsafe mining operations must come to an end.
Alarmed by the rising death toll from mining accidents across the country, lawmakers resolved to push for sweeping reforms aimed at strengthening safety standards, protecting workers and holding mining operators accountable for violations.
The decision followed the consideration of a motion sponsored by Senator Isah Jibrin (Kogi East), who drew the attention of the Senate to the devastating human, environmental and economic consequences of unregulated coal mining activities in Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro Local Government Areas of Kogi State.
Presenting the motion, Jibrin recalled the July 14, 2026 mining disaster at Alufele in Enjema District, where a massive landslide reportedly trapped miners underground, claimed about 20 lives, injured several others and buried heavy-duty trucks inside collapsed mining pits.
The Senate noted that the affected communities of Enjema, Okaba and Ikah are located within the Ankpa Coal Block of the Anambra Basin, an area with fragile geological formations vulnerable to landslides, ground subsidence and mine collapses.
Lawmakers attributed the recurring tragedies to unsafe mining methods, inadequate enforcement of safety regulations and poor compliance with industry standards, particularly the use of the room-and-pillar mining technique without sufficient structural support.
The upper chamber also expressed concern over the welfare of thousands of miners, many of whom work without formal employment, health insurance, life insurance or compensation packages, leaving their families destitute whenever fatal accidents occur.
Determined to reverse the trend, the Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to immediately undertake a nationwide audit of licensed mining companies and strengthen monitoring to ensure full compliance with mining laws and safety regulations.
It also called on the Federal Government to establish a statutory Mining Workers’ Compensation Scheme and a Mine Rehabilitation and Victims Support Fund to provide financial assistance to victims, rehabilitate devastated communities and restore degraded mining sites.
The lawmakers further recommended that the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) introduce compulsory occupational accident insurance for every miner operating in Nigeria, regardless of whether they are engaged in artisanal or commercial mining.
To ensure the resolutions do not remain on paper, the Senate directed its relevant committees to interface with the appropriate government agencies and submit an implementation report within six weeks.
The chamber concluded proceedings on the motion with a minute’s silence in honour of the victims, while reaffirming its resolve to strengthen legislative oversight of the mining sector and prevent future tragedies through tougher regulation and improved worker protection.