By Myke Agunwa, Abuja
The Commandant General of the National Unity and Peace Corps (NUPEC) and Nigeria Mine Rangers Service (NMRS), Dr. Chinedu Nneji, has commended the leadership of the Senate for the swift passage of the Nigeria Mines Rangers Establishment Bill, describing it as a bold step toward safeguarding the nation’s mineral assets and boosting internal security.
The Senate, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, passed the bill tagged SB 253, seeking to establish the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service. The bill, sponsored by Senator Mohammed Onawo, who represents Nasarawa South Senatorial District, aims to curb the menace of illegal and artisanal mining, which has contributed to significant revenue losses, environmental degradation, and rising insecurity in mineral-rich regions across the country.
Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, Dr. Nneji lauded the Senate’s patriotic commitment to national economic recovery, while urging the House of Representatives to expedite concurrence to complete the legislative process.
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He expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu would graciously assent to the bill once transmitted, noting that the proposed agency would mark a turning point in the protection and regulation of Nigeria’s solid mineral sector.
“The idea of the bill was conceived out of my genuine love, concern, and interest in one of the nation’s greatest natural endowments, solid minerals. “I noticed there was a lacuna in securing mining and mining sites in the solid minerals sector, which drives the economies of most advanced countries in the world.
“This gap created an opportunity for illegal mining to flourish, causing the federal government to lose enormous revenue and inadvertently providing a breeding ground for banditry. This was the foundation of my thought to champion this noble bill,” Nneji said.
According to him, the Mines Rangers Establishment Bill followed a rigorous legislative process in the Senate, passing through the first and second readings, public hearing, and third reading before its approval on Tuesday.
“The bill went through due diligence in the National Assembly. It was duly gazetted and given the Senate Bill number SB 253. From the moment it was passed, we immediately began engagement with the leadership of the House of Representatives to seek concurrence. We are optimistic that the Lower Chamber will cooperate with the Upper Chamber by fast-tracking the process to complete the legislative requirements,” he stated.
Nneji emphasized that the NMRS, when operational, will play a vital socio-economic role in enhancing government revenue, generating employment opportunities, and ensuring safety compliance in mining operations nationwide.
He further noted that the agency would enforce full regulatory oversight in the mining sector, reduce accidents at mining sites, and mitigate the negative environmental impacts of unregulated extraction activities on host communities.
“The Mines Rangers will provide total enforcement in the mining sector. They will ensure that mining operations are conducted responsibly, thereby preserving the environment and protecting the lives and livelihoods of people in affected communities,” he said.
Highlighting the preparedness of his organization, Dr. Nneji disclosed that the National Unity and Peace Corps already maintains operational command offices in all 36 states of the federation, with its national headquarters located in Abuja. He added that its personnel would soon undergo specialized training to equip them with the necessary technical and operational skills for the new task ahead.
The Commandant General described the Senate’s action as “a demonstration of national will,” noting that effective regulation of mining activities would not only strengthen national security but also contribute significantly to Nigeria’s non-oil revenue base.
“With this bill, Nigeria has taken a decisive step toward ending the era of unregulated mining. We are hopeful that the executive will support this vision and that the Mines Rangers Service will soon become a reality,” he said.
The passage of the Nigeria Mines Rangers Establishment Bill marks a milestone in the nation’s ongoing effort to reform the solid minerals sector, ensuring that Nigeria’s vast mineral wealth becomes a true driver of sustainable development rather than a source of conflict and economic loss.
