Painful but necessary: Nigeria’s minister defends economic hardship as price for lasting reforms

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has defended Nigeria’s current economic difficulties, describing them as a painful but necessary phase in the country’s broader push for long-term economic recovery and transformation.

Speaking in Abuja during the inaugural edition of the Solid Minerals Excellence Awards (SOMEA), Alake said the administration of Bola Tinubu remains committed to implementing reforms aimed at fixing structural weaknesses, reducing corruption, stabilising the economy and reducing overdependence on oil revenue.

According to the minister, the reforms are designed to reposition Nigeria for sustainable growth, industrial expansion and stronger national development. He stressed that true leadership requires courage, strategic vision and the willingness to make difficult decisions that prioritise long-term national progress over short-term political convenience.

Alake highlighted the solid minerals sector as a major pillar of the government’s economic diversification agenda under the Renewed Hope programme.

He noted that reforms in the sector have focused on tackling illegal mining, improving regulation, enhancing security at mining sites and increasing transparency in licensing. He added that the digitisation of mining operations has simplified licensing procedures, improved accountability and boosted investor confidence.

The minister also revealed that over 2,000 mining marshals have been deployed nationwide to strengthen enforcement efforts, resulting in arrests, prosecutions and better compliance among operators.

He further emphasised the importance of local mineral processing and value addition, noting that domestic beneficiation would support industrialisation, create jobs and encourage technology transfer across the country.

Despite concerns over rising inflation and increased living costs, Alake insisted that the reforms are unavoidable, arguing that previous governments avoided difficult economic decisions due to political pressure. He compared the current situation to reforms once resisted in Lagos State, which later contributed to stronger institutions and increased internally generated revenue.