The Senate has passed the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service Establishment Bill 2025, aimed at combating illegal mining and strengthening oversight in the mining sector.
The bill’s passage followed the presentation of a report by Ekong Samson, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development.
The proposed Mines Rangers Service will be a specialized enforcement agency responsible for securing mining sites and ensuring compliance with mining laws.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed confidence that the bill would enhance regulation and enforcement under the existing Mining Act.
“This is a timely intervention that will strengthen our regulatory framework and ensure Nigeria’s mineral resources are properly managed,” he said.
Supporting the bill, lawmakers such as Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South) highlighted the crucial role the Rangers Service will play in safeguarding mining operations.
“If established, the Rangers will be present at mining sites nationwide, acting as eyes on the ground to monitor resource extraction,” Maidoki stated.
“With major mining investors now in Nigeria, protecting these investments and maximizing benefits from our mineral wealth is urgent.”
After consideration by the committee of the whole, the bill passed its third reading.
