By George Ozalla
The Senate on Wednesday called for sweeping reforms in Nigeria’s mining sector following the tragic death of about 20 miners in a coal mine collapse in Kogi State, with Senator Isah Jibrin (APC, Kogi East) warning that poor safety standards and weak regulatory oversight have continued to expose miners to avoidable dangers.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Senator Jibrin, who drew the attention of the Senate to the growing safety, environmental and humanitarian concerns arising from coal mining activities in Ankpa and other coal-bearing communities in Kogi State.
Presenting the motion, the lawmaker recalled that on July 14, 2026, a major landslide and ground failure occurred at Alufele in Enjema District of Ankpa Local Government Area, trapping artisanal and small-scale miners underground. He said several trucks also reportedly sank into mining pits during loading operations, resulting in the death of about 20 workers, while many others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
According to Senator Jibrin, coal mining remains a major economic activity in Enjema, Okaba and Ikah communities in Ankpa Local Government Area, as well as parts of Omala and Olamaboro Local Government Areas, all within the Ankpa Coal Block of the Anambra Basin.
He explained that the geological nature of the area, comprising laterite, loose sandstone, mudstone, clay, shale and unconsolidated sediments, makes it highly susceptible to subsidence, landslides and ground failure, particularly where mining activities are carried out without adequate engineering safeguards.
The senator blamed the recurring accidents on unsafe mining practices, especially the widespread use of the room-and-pillar mining method without sufficient structural reinforcement using timber, steel or concrete supports.
He further expressed concern over the location of heavy-duty loading points close to unstable mining pits, saying the practice has significantly increased geological risks and endangered the lives of miners, truck operators and host communities.
He lamented that many artisanal miners operate under informal employment arrangements without written contracts, health insurance, life insurance or occupational hazard insurance, leaving victims and their families without any form of compensation whenever accidents occur.
He warned that unless urgent corrective measures are taken, the unstable geological conditions within the Ankpa Coal Block and the continued disregard for established mining safety standards could result in more devastating mine collapses, environmental degradation, destruction of valuable mining assets and further loss of lives.
Contributing to the debate, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, described fatal mining accidents as a recurring national challenge and urged lawmakers representing mining communities to champion comprehensive legislation that would establish enforceable safety standards across the mining sector.
He noted that while motions help to draw public attention to critical national issues, only legislation can provide the legal framework needed to ensure strict compliance with safety regulations and prevent future tragedies.
Following deliberations, the Senate observed a minute’s silence in honour of the deceased miners before unanimously adopting a series of resolutions aimed at improving safety and accountability in Nigeria’s mining industry.
The upper chamber mandated the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, particularly its Department of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining, to carry out a comprehensive nationwide audit of licensed mining operators and strengthen monitoring, inspection and enforcement of safety regulations across mining sites.
The Senate also urged the Federal Government to establish a statutory Mining Workers’ Compensation Scheme funded through mandatory contributions by licensed mining operators to provide compensation for occupational injuries, permanent disabilities, occupational diseases and deaths arising from mining activities.
In addition, lawmakers called for the establishment of a Mine Rehabilitation and Victims Support Fund to provide prompt relief, rehabilitation and long-term support for victims of mining disasters and their families.
The Senate maintained that the recurring fatalities in the solid minerals sector underscore the urgent need for stricter enforcement of mining regulations, improved operational standards and stronger protection for workers whose livelihoods continue to sustain one of Nigeria’s most strategic economic sectors.
