Illicit mining in Nigeria poses a significant threat to the country’s economic future and is fueling transnational corruption, the United States Mission in Nigeria has warned.

In a statement shared on its official Twitter handle @USinNigeria as part of its #TransparencyTuesday campaign, the U.S. Mission stressed the urgent need for increased accountability in Nigeria’s extractives sector. The tweet also emphasized that ensuring transparency and accountability is not only crucial to Nigeria’s sovereignty but also aligns with U.S. strategic interests in securing a responsible global supply chain, particularly for critical minerals.

“Illicit mining threatens Nigeria’s economic future and fuels transnational corruption. Accountability in the extractives sector is essential to protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and ensuring a secure and transparent global supply chain, which is core to U.S. strategic interests,” the tweet read.

The message reflects growing international concern over the governance of Nigeria’s vast mineral resources, which remain largely untapped or exploited through informal and unregulated activities. Critical minerals such as lithium, gold, tin, and tantalite many of which are central to global energy transition and defense supply chains—are increasingly vulnerable to illegal mining networks that operate beyond state oversight.

While the tweet did not directly name actors or provide specific data, it linked to a post by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which has been actively cracking down on illegal mining operations in various parts of the country. Read more >> x.com/officialEFCC/s…

In recent months, the EFCC, in collaboration with other security agencies, has arrested dozens of suspects and sealed off unlicensed mining sites, especially in states like Kwara, Nasarawa, and Kogi.

Mining Reporting carried the news three weeks ago that two Chinese nationals were arrested in Kaduna, prosecuted, and made to forfeit ₦1 billion to the Nigerian government. The court also ordered their deportation. About a week ago, another report emerged that two illegal miners, also Chinese nationals, were arrested in Kwara State and transferred to Jos, Plateau State, for prosecution. Mining and Reporting with Accountability is monitoring the situation closely and has pledged to provide updates on a day-to-day basis as developments unfold.

The U.S. Mission’s statement underscores the broader geopolitical and economic implications of weak regulation in Nigeria’s mining sector. It comes amid rising global demand for critical minerals and increasing pressure on countries to ensure ethical sourcing and environmental sustainability in supply chains.

In 2023, Nigeria's Ministry of Solid Minerals Development launched a roadmap to formalize artisanal mining, attract foreign direct investment, and generate more revenue from the sector. However, stakeholders have raised concerns about institutional capacity, licensing irregularities, and poor enforcement mechanisms that continue to enable illegal operators.

Analysts say the U.S. interest in Nigeria’s extractives sector reflects a strategic pivot toward securing access to critical minerals amid intensifying global competition, particularly with China’s dominance in mineral processing and supply.

The U.S. government has also supported various transparency and anti-corruption initiatives in Nigeria, including backing the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and funding capacity-building programs for regulatory agencies.

As the push for mineral accountability intensifies, observers say sustained international cooperation and political will within Nigeria will be crucial in curbing illicit mining and positioning the country as a transparent and competitive player in the global extractives landscape.