Senate Passes Bill To Establish Nigeria Mines Rangers Service

The Senate has passed the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service (NMRS) establishment bill 2025, a move designed to combat illegal mining and strengthen oversight of the country’s mining sector.

The bill was presented by Senator Ekong Samson, chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, and passed its third reading on Tuesday.

Sponsored by Senator Mohammed Onawo (SDP–Nasarawa), the proposed Mines Rangers Service will be a specialized agency responsible for securing mining sites and ensuring adherence to Nigeria’s mining laws.

Its duties will include tackling illegal mining, rescuing trapped miners, providing emergency medical support, investigating mining accidents, and enforcing environmental and safety standards.

“The establishment of the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service will help to safeguard mining operations, enforce mining environmental and safety regulations, and promote sustainable mining practices in Nigeria,” Onawo said.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed the bill, noting that it will improve regulation under the existing Mining Act and ensure better management of the country’s mineral resources.

He also urged future members of the service to act patriotically and work to eliminate illegal mining activities.

“This is a timely intervention that will strengthen our regulatory framework and ensure that Nigeria’s mineral resources are properly managed.

“I pray those who will be working there will have patriotism in their mind and work to stop all illegal activities in our mines,” Akpabio said.

Other lawmakers, including Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South), stressed the importance of the Rangers in safeguarding mining operations.

Maidoki explained that the service would maintain a visible presence at mining sites nationwide, acting as on-the-ground monitors to protect investments and ensure Nigeria benefits fully from its mineral wealth.

“If established, the Rangers service will be physically present at mining sites across the country. They will serve as the eyes on the ground to monitor the extraction of our national resources.

“With major mining investors now operating in Nigeria, there is an urgent need to provide adequate protection for investments and ensure the country benefits fully from its mineral wealth,” he said.

The approval of the NMRS bill comes amid growing concerns over the economic and environmental damage caused by illegal mining, including revenue losses, environmental degradation, and conflicts in mineral-rich regions.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Senate also approved the appointment of Dr. Aminu Yusuf as Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC) and confirmed two others as Federal Commissioners.