There is an extra lament in town. It is not the price of petrol or diesel. It is more troubling than the mean charges of estate agents and rising cost of aso-ebi. It is this: “There are no more wife materials.”

You hear it in barbershops, at buka tables, in Uber rides, and whispered with despair in bachelor flats where devouring noodles has become a lifestyle. The men sigh, shake their heads like village elders and conclude, “Women of nowadays…”—as if they themselves are not also “men of nowadays.”

But let us not rush to crucify a whole gender. This matter is not as simple as Ankara vs. miniskirt or prayer warrior vs. party hopper. Finding a life partner has always been serious business. Bestsellers have been written on it and blockbuster movies made on the theme . It only looks harder now because illusions have multiplied and patience has reduced.

So, dear serious-minded dude, before you start considering becoming a Baby Daddy out of despair and desperation, sit down. Let’s talk.

First, it is not true that there are no good wife materials left anywhere.

There are still many around.

What has gone extinct is discernment.

The problem is not that good women don’t exist. The problem is that many men are shopping for wife material in showrooms meant for entertainment.

It is like going to a nightclub at 2 a.m., seeing flashing lights, bottles popping, and then complaining that nobody there looks like your grandmother who woke up at 5 a.m. to pray and  made breakfast for 10 people before 7 a.m.

My brother, context matters.

If you fish in a pond, don’t expect a whale.

Take the case of Kunle and his Instagram standards.

Kunle was 34, a banker with a steady job and a mother who had started sending him pictures of “very decent girls.” But Kunle had standards. Not ordinary standards—Instagram standards.

He wanted beauty that could trend, a body that could cause traffic, and a lifestyle that would make his friends green with envy.

He found her. They are a-plenty on social media, selling the mirage.

Ada was stunning. Soft skin, perfect curves, and a social media presence that could intimidate small countries. Kunle fell like a mango in harmattan.

Within months, they were inseparable. Vacations, expensive dinners, designer gifts—Kunle was living the dream. Until reality knocked.

Ada did not believe in “stress.” Cooking was stress. Managing money was stress. Even basic emotional support was… stress. What she believed in was “soft life”—financed, preferably, by Kunle.

When Kunle’s finances began to groan under the weight of luxury, cracks appeared. Arguments started. Respect evaporated. Eventually, Ada left—with her bags, her beauty, and her belief that another sponsor would soon emerge.

Kunle sat in his empty apartment, staring at the wall like a man who had just watched his generator pack up during Champions League final.

His conclusion? “There are no good girls anywhere, only opportunists.”

But the truth? Kunle did not look for a wife. He shopped for a fantasy.

So where should a serious man look?

Let’s be honest. Wife material is not written on anyone’s forehead. It is revealed in patterns, in consistency, in values that don’t shake when nobody is watching. If you are serious, your search must also be serious.

First, look where values live.

Good partners are often found in places where values are practised, not performed. Workplaces, professional circles, volunteer groups, faith communities, academic environments—these are places where people are known beyond makeup and captions.

When you see someone consistently show up, treat others with respect, handle responsibility with grace—you are seeing raw material. Not packaging.

Because marriage is not packaging. It is content, lifetime content.

Pay attention to how she treats people who she can make money or contact from.

Watch how she speaks to waiters, how she treats her siblings, how she handles disagreement.

Anybody can be sweet when things are going well. The real person appears when things don’t go their way.

A woman who is kind without audience, respectful without reward, and grounded without pressure—that one is not common. If you see her, don’t be forming hard guy. Walk up to her and give your best pitch ever. She is likely the one you have been waiting for.

Listen more than you talk

Many men are in love with the idea of being heard, but they don’t listen.

If you actually listen, you will hear everything: her values, her priorities, her fears, her worldview. Does she respect family? Does she believe in partnership or dependency? Does she take responsibility for her life?

These things don’t hide. They whisper. But you must be quiet enough to hear them.

Musa was not flashy. He worked in a logistics company and lived a simple life. His friends often teased him for being “too calm.”

He met Zainab at a colleague’s small birthday gathering—not a party, just a few people, food, and laughter. Zainab was not the loudest in the room. She wasn’t trying to impress anyone. But Musa noticed something.

She helped the host clean up without being asked. She listened when others spoke. When a disagreement came up, she didn’t raise her voice; she made her point and smiled.

Curious, Musa struck up a conversation. Weeks turned into months of friendship. No rush. No pressure.

Over time, Musa saw consistency. Zainab was the same person everywhere—steady, thoughtful, respectful.

When he eventually expressed his intentions, there was no drama. They spoke like adults, involved their families, and built something solid.

Today, their home is not perfect—but it is peaceful. And in a world full of noise, peace is luxury.

Musa did not complain about scarcity. He recognised value.

There is also a way a dude looking for a wife must present himself.

Let’s not pretend , this is one-sided matter. Some men are looking for angels while behaving like walking headaches. Bad men looking for good girls no longer works. Today’s ready-to-marry women have what my people call ‘oju inu’, inner eyes. Simply put, discerning spirit.

If you want a good partner, you must also be partner-worthy.

Define what you actually want

Not vibes. Not pressure from your mother. Not competition with your married friends.What do you truly want in a partner? Values, character, lifestyle, vision—be clear. Because if you are not clear, anything shiny will distract you.

Make sure you are ready and stable.

Emotional stability. Financial responsibility. Mental maturity.

Marriage is not a rehabilitation centre. If you are broken, fix yourself before inviting someone into the mess.

A serious woman is not looking for a project. She is looking for a partner.

Be honest about your intentions

If you want something serious, say it. Early.

Stop hiding behind “let’s see how it goes” when you already know you are not serious. You will only attract people who are also not serious—or worse, hurt someone who was.

Clarity saves time. And heartbreak.

The Hard Truth Men Don’t Like to Hear

Sometimes, the “scarcity” you are complaining about is actually rejection.

The women you call “wife material” are seeing you—and quietly saying, “Not this one.” Painful? Yes. But necessary.

Because instead of blaming the entire female population, it may be time to ask:

Am I the kind of man a good woman would choose?

Do I bring peace or pressure?

Am I consistent or confusing?

Self-reflection is not weakness. It is strategy.

My final thoughts; is the problem scarcity really or selectivity?

We are not in a season of scarcity. We are in a season of visibility.

Everybody is seen. Everybody is heard. And everybody is choosing.

The good women are there—but they are no longer waiting quietly to be picked. They are also evaluating, also deciding, also rejecting.

So, dear serious-minded dude, if you want a life partner, stop chasing noise.

Start recognizing substance.

Stop performing.

Start becoming.

Because in the end, marriage is not about finding a perfect person.

It is about finding someone whose imperfections you understand, whose values align with yours, and whose presence brings you peace—not pressure.

And when you find her, you will not need a committee to tell you she is “wife material.” Your spirit will rest, in the middle of all the chaos of building a life and career, finding someone who gives you rest.

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The post INTIMATE AFFAIR: Where did all the wife materials go? appeared first on Frontpageng.

Musa disclosed this in an interview on the sidelines of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2026) in Antalya, Türkiye, on Saturday, following discussions with his Turkish counterpart, Yasar Guler.

The three-day forum, themed: “Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties,” which started on Friday, is attended by world leaders, ministers, and diplomats, among others.

The minister explained that following the agreement, Türkiye had allocated a training quota of 200 personnel from Nigeria’s Special Forces, who will be immediately deployed on his return to Nigeria.

“We have a Special Forces training agreement. Türkiye has agreed to give us 200 Special Forces training, so as soon as I return, we are sending them here for training.

“We will continue to do a lot. There will be exercises. The first exercise is coming up later in the year. So, in so many areas of defence we are going to work together,” he said.

The minister also disclosed that Nigeria and Türkiye had both agreed on joint defence equipment production and the transfer of military technology.

Musa said that Nigeria and Türkiye had come a long way, working together over the years, adding that, “since 1960 Türkiye has been like family to Nigeria.”

According to him, Türkiye has a lot of defence experience from which Nigeria could learn through shared experiences.

“I’ve had a meeting with the Turkish Minister of Defence, where we shared a lot of ideas on how to improve on our relationship, defence-wise.

“Türkiye has improved dramatically with regard to the production of military hardware.

“Nigeria is still developing, and we have agreed that we are going to partner together so that we have a co-production of some of these items,” he said.

The minister noted that while Nigeria had been fighting asymmetric warfare against insurgency for about 17 years, Türkiye had had a similar experience of fighting against terrorism for 40 years.

He added: “Because of that, we will move into training, production and improving on our defence, industrial production, and exchange of officers and soldiers.”

The annual event also featured panel discussions and sessions covering a wide range of topics shaped by contemporary global defence and security, political, economic, environmental, and technological dynamics.

Participants from about 150 countries, including 5,000 decision-makers, 20 heads of state and government, 40 foreign ministers, 60 invited foreign media, and diplomats, among others, attended the forum.

Source: NAN

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The soldiers were killed on April 9 during a co-ordinated attack by terrorists on military positions in Benisheikh, a strategic town in Kaga local government area along the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway.

They were buried on Wednesday at the Maimalari Cantonment Cemetery in Maiduguri, Borno State.

In a statement issued on its official social media handle, X, the Nigerian Army described the event as solemn and emotionally charged.

“Amidst grieving families and fellow comrades, the fallen heroes were accorded full military honours in recognition of their selfless service and unwavering commitment to the defence of the nation. Their sacrifice serves as a poignant reminder of the heavy price paid daily by members of the Armed Forces to safeguard the peace, unity and security of Nigeria,” the statement reads in part.

In attendance were the governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff and other senior military officers.

In their tributes, the governor, the Minister of Defence, the CDS, and the COAS described the fallen soldiers as true patriots who stood firm in the face of danger and made the ultimate sacrifice so that others might live in safety.

They noted that their bravery and sense of duty would continue to inspire generations and remain etched in the nation’s history.

The statement reads further: “With heavy hearts, prayers were offered for the peaceful repose of their souls, while citations detailing their service and sacrifice were read before their next of kin. The grief of their families underscored the human cost of the nation’s security efforts, even as their courage remains a source of pride and honour.

“As the nation mourns these heroes, it is reminded that the freedom and stability enjoyed today come at a profound cost, paid by brave men who placed duty above self and gave everything in service to their fatherland.”

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President Tinubu gave the promise in his address during his visit to Jos on Thursday.

He commiserated with the government and people of the state on the March 29 gun attacks that claimed the lives of innocent citizens in the Angwan Rukuba district of Jos North local government area.

“I promise you that this experience will not repeat itself,” he said.

President Tinubu directed the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd), Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Waidi Shaibu, and the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to “unearth and find the killers” of innocent Nigerians.

He announced that the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijjani, would oversee the immediate installation of the security cameras in close coordination with the Plateau State government and security agencies.

The installation will start in Jos and expand across Plateau State, building on systems already successfully deployed in Lagos and Enugu states.

Lamenting the pain caused by the latest violence, President Tinubu expressed dismay at seeing videos from Jos depicting violence.

“It is only God that can give you joy and comfort,” President Tinubu told families affected by the attacks at the meeting held at the arrival lounge at Yakubu Gowon Airport.

“No amount of money can recompense for lost souls,” he added.

President Tinubu pledged that the government would do everything possible to ensure that justice was served and provided comfort for the bereaved families.

He directed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard Doro, to compile comprehensive data on those affected by the violence to ensure that government assistance was equitable to all.

Addressing leaders and stakeholders, President Tinubu emphasised the need for proactive measures to prevent future attacks.

”Why is the past not a source of lessons to us? I have listened to Jonah Jang, Wase, Lalong, Nentawe and Governor Mutfwang.

“Governor, you and I were elected on a promise of peace and security, not to comfort and create widows and widowers. We were elected to bring prosperity and inclusiveness as a government, to share hope and aspiration with everyone, and to lead our youth.

”I assure our youths who are represented here that I do not want to be here consoling and commiserating — I want to be here to establish peace,” he said.

The governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, said the state had enjoyed relative peace before the unfortunate incident of March 29, describing it as a temporary setback.

He commended security agencies for their ongoing efforts and expressed confidence that their interventions would continue to strengthen security.

“We will win this war against insecurity,” the governor said, adding that the current administration inherited the challenges and was taking all measures within its powers to address them.

Governor Mutfwang also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for approving the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to complement the state’s security efforts.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, thanked President Tinubu for standing with the people of Plateau, noting that the crisis had lingered for a long time.

He expressed hope that the president’s visit would strengthen security agencies, stem the tide of attacks, and provide comfort to bereaved families.

“We will stay back and work with our people to find a lasting solution to the problem,” he said.

A former governor of the state, Jonah David Jang, echoed the request by Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, and the state governor for a special meeting in Abuja to find lasting solutions to the crisis in Plateau.

“I went through it, Joshua Dariye went through it, Simon Lalong went through it. The fact that the violence is now leaving the villages and getting into the townships is a dimension that we do not want to see,” he said.

He alleged that some people were attempting to sabotage the forthcoming general elections and President Tinubu’s achievements for the nation.

“You are doing a fantastic job for the nation, and some people think they want to spoil it like this,” he said.

Senator Simon Lalong, a former governor and Speaker of the State House of Assembly, recalled that, as a former governor, he had witnessed the state go through a state of emergency.

“We thought that it was over, but it is rearing its ugly head again. Plateau is privileged. If you bring together Jonah Jang, Joshua Dariye, Simon Lalong, and Mutfwang with traditional rulers, you will find solutions to Plateau State’s problems.

“I say that because all of us went through it. The solution to this problem lies with the people of Plateau. If we are ready, we will proffer a solution to you, Mr President. That is why we suggest a closed-door meeting in Abuja, where we can say the truth.

“It is not security agencies that will bring peace — Plateau people will bring peace,” he said.

Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase, observed that much work remained to be done to ensure lasting peace in Plateau, noting that many challenges stemmed from sabotage.

He called for increased collaboration between the Air Force and ground troops, particularly as the next farming season approaches in the state.

“In Wase and Kanke alone, last week we lost over 14 people, including a captain of the Nigerian Army,” he said.

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The announcement of the removal is contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Dawakin-Tofa, on Wednesday.

He said the decision was part of the ongoing efforts by the present administration to reposition the state civil service for greater efficiency, discipline, and improved service delivery across all government institutions.

Dawakin-Tofa quoted his principal as expressing appreciation to the outgoing head of service for his contributions and dedication to the service of Kano State during his tenure.

“We wish him the best in his future endeavours and pray for his continued success in all aspects of life,” he said.

The governor also directed Hajiya Bilkisu Shehu-Maimota, the Permanent Secretary, Admin and General Services at the Cabinet Office, to serve in an acting capacity.

By this announcement, the outgoing head of service is directed to hand over the affairs of the office to the Acting Head of Service immediately.

Source: NAN

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A security source said the operation followed actionable intelligence on the kidnappers’ hideout.

The source said the combined team mobilised to the area at about 4:23 p.m. on Wednesday and made contact with the criminals at about 5:59 p.m., forcing them to abandon the victims and flee into the surrounding bushes.

“All eight victims were rescued unharmed and have been reunited with their families,” the source said.

Those rescued are Mrs Rashida Musa (19), Mrs Hafsat Nuhu (18), Mr Zakari Saleh (52), Miss Hasiya Yahaya (13), Mr Ahmed Yahaya (14), Mr Ibrahim Saiba (11), Miss Salma Yahaya (14) and Mr Sophan Idris (18).

The source added that follow-up exploitation and pursuit of the fleeing suspects were ongoing to apprehend those responsible and dismantle the criminal network.

Source: NAN

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A family of grasscutters went in search of food one day. It had been a terrible season for the clan; famine bit particularly hard that year. The mummy grasscutters nagged, the daddy grasscutters worried, and the baby grasscutters lost weight at an alarming rate. Even the granny grasscutters were dying quietly in their sleep from hunger and ill health. So this particular hunting trip was a find-food-or-die-trying expedition. They were desperate. It was also their lucky day.

Within minutes of setting out, they stumbled upon a large cassava farm. They descended on their good fortune and ate to their hearts’ content. Bellies distended and spirits lifted, they began their journey home—except one. He told the others to go ahead; he would follow later. They pleaded with him, warning of the risk of being caught by the farmer, but he sneered. He could take care of himself, he said.

Unwilling to risk their own lives, they reluctantly left their greedy kinsman to his reprobate heart. He continued stuffing his face until he became too full—and too heavy—to move. He was so overfed he could barely breathe. That was when the farmer arrived.

The grasscutter was stunned—and stumped. The farmer, furious at the destruction of his farm and even angrier that the culprit stood staring instead of scampering off, brought the handle of his hoe down swiftly on the overfed belly. End of story. The grasscutter ended up in spicy egusi soup, accompanying the pounded yam the farmer’s wife and children enjoyed that evening.

That overfed grasscutter is called oya adimu in Yoruba—the grasscutter that eats until it cannot move, the one caught in the act. Above all, it is the one that never makes it home. His joy at abundance seizes his brain, chokes him on pleasure, and delivers him straight into the clay pot of soup.

Does this remind you of Nigerian political parties and the men and women who run them? Give them power and they eat—then eat some more—until they develop pear bellies. They continue as if tomorrow does not exist, until tomorrow arrives with the handle of a hoe, swiftly ending their reign and pleasure. Then the overfed grasscutter becomes food.

The gluttonous grasscutter should also remind us of the terrorists who have held this country by the throat for too long. They are as bad as greedy politicians. They want everything—not enough to survive, but everything. They want to strip, whip, and terrorise to feed themselves, their wives, and their concubines. This is not hunger. It is not homelessness. It is no longer religion. It is primitive plunder—the beastly spirit of slave-trading forefathers reborn.

Too many demonic human beings have formed a conglomerate of evil enterprises. They now operate Departments of School Abduction, Commercial Bus Kidnapping, Church Raid Operations, and Ransom Processing. Each unit is run by mean-spirited, poker-faced men and women who care nothing for tears—as long as they are smiling to their banks, onshore and offshore. They want more, then more, and still more.

Normal life feels suspended. But the grasscutter will be eaten. We will eat him in egusi soup. This season will end. It must.

They wear agbada and clutch prayer beads as if Paradise is their sole obsession. They take chieftaincy titles in churches—sometimes not even their own. They travel to Jerusalem and perform lesser hajj. With blood money, they fund even greater evil, convinced no one sees them and no reckoning will come.

That must have been what the greedy grasscutter thought as he stuffed himself—feeling bigger than everyone, imagining himself larger than the cooking pot. But no bush meat is bigger than the hunter’s clay pot. If it is too large for stew, it becomes soup. If any remains, it becomes snacks for palm wine or akpeteshie down the triumphant hunter’s throat.

It may take a while, but the reign of all fat cats will end.

Terrorists will become smoked meat.

Rulers of evil forests will end in ignominy.

They should slow down and remember how Osama bin Laden ended.

Today, Nigerians are the ones running scared. We fear road travel. We cannot concentrate in church for fear of armed demons bursting through the doors. Normal life feels suspended. But the grasscutter will be eaten. We will eat him in egusi soup. This season will end. It must.

The political leaves are already changing colour. Criminal appetites are growing. The wind feels different. The new Defence Minister, Brig-Gen Musa, appears determined to do things differently. He has openly said he is watching both the thief and his friends—and that they are not very different. From my crystal ball, it seems he may soon go after those who defend bandits, those who declare forests sacred while captives rot within them. Why not? Terror has been one-sided for too long. It is time terrorists, their defenders, and their PR teams tasted their own pudding. The Nigerian state must clean the evil forests thoroughly.

What have we not done to pacify terrorists? We begged them, reasoned with them, even helped them find wives and paid bride prices. They mocked our olive branches and returned fiercer. These are not people to negotiate with. These are people to confront—with force.

Now to politics. Politicians are moving again—stealthily, nocturnally, testing waters. It is then you realise they are the same, whether brandishing umbrella, broom, cock, or maize. Party symbols change; appetites do not.

Political people forget tomorrow. They stuff themselves with power until election season finds them stunned and stumped. You are thinking of PDP and APC—add Labour, Accord, ADC. The similarities are striking: six and half a dozen.

The PDP enjoyed a 16-year feast. It made multiple trips to the farm. APC must learn from that history, not refine the same mistakes. Unfortunately, politicians think only of today.

God factor. They forget that four years is not forever. They forget the God-factor. They forget that markets thin after midday. They forget that masquerade festivals end—and even the chief priest’s children must pay for bean cakes when they do.

As Kenny Rogers sang in The Gambler:

You’ve got to know when to hold ’em

Know when to fold ’em

Know when to walk away

Know when to run…

Nothing lasts forever. Ask the overfed grasscutter—if he were alive.

Let me end with Philip K. Dick: Man is infinitely strong; yet for every creature that runs, flies, hops, or crawls, there exists a terminal nemesis he cannot escape.

The grasscutter found his. Others will too.

*Egbemode (egbemode3@gmail.com)

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It was gathered that the former Majority Leader of the Assembly between 2007 and 2011 was kidnapped at about 7.00 p.m. while observing evening prayers inside a mosque within his compound.

Confirming the incident, the chairman of Ogun Waterside Local Government, Mr Ganiyu Odunoiki, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Wednesday that the abduction occurred on Tuesday night.

“The report is true. The former lawmaker was abducted on Tuesday evening. The gunmen also reportedly shot some people on the road.

“Security operatives, in collaboration with community members, have begun a search of the surrounding bushes.

“We are combing the area with police officers. We are also expecting the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, while the Area Commander from Ogbere is already on ground,” he said.

Also confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in Ogun, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the command was aware of the abduction.

Babaseyi said that security measures had been activated to ensure the victim’s safe rescue.

“The Ogun State Police Command is aware of the reported abduction of Hon. Moruf Musa in Ibiade, Ogun Waterside Local Government Area.

“Security measures, including the deployment of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, have been activated, and the public is advised to remain calm pending official updates.

“According to a reliable source, the former lawmaker was kidnapped while observing a Muslim prayer inside a mosque within his compound at about 7.00 p.m.

“The victim was said to have struggled with his abductors for over 20 minutes, which attracted residents of the community before the kidnappers fired sporadically into the air to escape with him.

“Efforts to rescue the abducted lawmaker are ongoing,” he said.

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Nineteen Northern State Governors alongside their traditional rulers met in Kaduna last week Monday to rub minds and possibly work out practical solutions to the insecurity crisis that has not only engulfed the region, but threatening to consume it. At the end of their parley, the Governors came up with recommendations that they believed would provide solutions to what is gradually becoming an intractable crisis facing the region.

On top of their recommendations was the call on the Federal Government to place a six-month suspension on mining activities across the region. They blamed illegal mining activities for the worsening insecurity in many states up North. The northern leaders also announced plans to mobilize N228 billion to fight bandits terrorizing communities across the region. Under the arrangement, each state and its local government councils will contribute N1 billion monthly to be deducted at source under an agreed framework. The fund, we were told, would provide sustainable financing for joint operations, intelligence-driven interventions, and coordinated security responses across the North.

In recent weeks, multiple school raids have rocked the region, leaving families traumatized and several communities deserted. No fewer than 500 students and residents were kidnapped by criminal gangs from schools and communities, forcing authorities to shut down schools in several states. In response to the crisis, President Bola Tinubu, declared a nationwide security emergency, directing immediate recruitment by the Army, Police Force, and intelligence agencies. He also urged the National Assembly to begin the process of legalizing state police to curb kidnapping and terrorist attacks. He also sacked the Nation’s Minister of Defence, and appointed General Chris Musa (retired) as a replacement.

It is a known fact that illegal mining activities have contributed significantly for the spike in terror-related activities in most northern states. In nearly all the 19 northern states, there are mineral resources that can fetch huge revenues if they are actively mined. Strategic minerals mined in the country’s North-west region include granite, gypsum, kaolin, laterite, limestone, phosphate, potash, silica sand, as well as gold. The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), estimated that the mining sector contributed N814.59 billion (US$527 million) in 15 years, with earnings at its peak in 2021. However, experts believe that the sector could be the new oil for the nation, if necessary attention is paid to it. However, the activities of illegal miners and some powerful countries across the world have ensured that the sector remains under-utilised.

Indeed, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, asserted in late 2024, that powerful individuals engaged in illegal mining were sponsoring banditry in the country. Recently, the Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, also alleged that retired military officers coordinated illegal mining activities nationwide, some for foreign collaborators.

For several years, gold mining was being done by wealthy and influential people in several communities in many states up north. Intense competition between the owners has led them to hiring bandits to guard their mine fields from their competitors – a situation that has made those bandits to become so powerful that they took over the mine fields, extract the gold, and use the proceeds to acquire more deadly weapons. In other words, they simply became warlords in their own rights.

The bandits now directly sell mined gold to gold merchants and traders across Africa. Some of these traders are business elites from other states in Nigeria who typically sell the gold in the Diffa region in Chad, or in Agadez (Niger), Tripoli (Libya), and Algiers (Algeria). Foreign nationals now also operate in the criminal supply chain for gold and other expensive mineral resources.

In fact, Chinese companies and nationals are fully involved in illegal mining activities in Nigeria as well as in other African countries. In South Sudan, United Arab Emirates companies with the support of their government are fully involved in illegal mining of Gold. Several powerful countries across the globe are all in a mad rush for Gold in Africa. In order to exercise control, they come in with guns, which they give to the locals in a bid to lay their hands on Africa’s wealth.

The reason for the rush is not farfetched. Gold has always been a precious commodity, and its value has increased in recent times. In October, prices surpassed $4,000 an ounce. Just last week, gold was sold for $4,200 an ounce, and the price is likely to go higher owing to the war between Russia and Ukraine as well as the cold war between USA on one hand, and China and Iran on the other.

What is happening in Nigeria is what several African countries are also going through. From Ghana to Mali, Ethiopia to South Africa, many African countries are facing exploitation from developed countries many of which are after the wealth of African countries. They pay peanuts to locals to guard and mine the field while they smile to the banks after paying ridiculously small ‘proceeds’ to those in government.

The Federal Government must demonstrate that it has the political will to develop the mining sector for the benefit of all Nigerians. For now, that sector is still majorly controlled by foreigners with some local collaborators and they won’t bat an eyelid in destabilising the country for their own selfish gains.

Edward Zwick, a film director, captured what many African countries are going through in his 2006 film titled ‘’Blood Diamond’’. In the film, set during the brutal Sierra Leone civil war in the late 1990s, it shows how Diamond is mined in the war zones and sold to finance armed conflicts and human rights abuses.

Zamfara State is one of Nigeria’s mineral-rich states with huge deposits of gold, copper, and lithium. But the state has, over the years, become one of the most insecure in the country due to illegal mining, which has become intricately linked with banditry, a form of organised crime involving armed groups engaged in cattle rustling, kidnapping, and violent attacks on communities. As a result, these resources have become a double-edged sword – attracting illegal artisanal miners and criminal groups who exploit the minerals for profit with the extensive participation of thousands of ordinary people seeking livelihood. These mine labourers are made to work in often unsafe and exploitative conditions rife with intimidation by the armed groups.

In 2019, the Nigerian government imposed a ban on mining in the state as part of efforts to address the rising insecurity. Two years later, this was followed by the imposition of a no-fly zone over the state. Authorities believed that illegal mining fuelled the insecurity through illegally mined gold that is ferried out of the state using private aircrafts with proceeds used to smuggle in weapons.

However, the policy faced immediate challenges. Bandits maintained control over mining sites, making it nearly impossible for government officials to enforce the ban.

Data from the Nigeria Security Tracker, a Council of Foreign Relations project on security outcomes during the ban reveal its limited success. In the period from 2015 to 2019, before the ban was introduced, there were 2,247 reported deaths linked to insecurity in Zamfara state. In the four years following the ban, this figure rose to 6,349 deaths —a staggering 183% increase. Many incidents go unreported due to the state’s remote areas. However, the available data shows that the ban failed to reduce violence and instead, fuelled the rising insecurity. With many of the bandits swimming in raw cash from their criminal activities, the demand for weapons in these conflict zones is high, leading to a massive inflow of illicit arms. These weapons are sourced from various places, including battlefield losses, diversions by corrupt officials, and local artisanal production. There are reports that there is an estimated 12 million illicit arms in West Africa which is a major driver of instability in the region.

It is doubtful if the Federal Government would consider the request of the 19 northern state governors to place a six-month ban on mining activities in the region. However, the Federal Government could easily control the influx of foreigners into the country, as it is an established fact that many of them are coming for the wealth of the country through illegal mining activities.

Needless to say, state governors across the region can no longer afford to be passive onlookers in what is happening in their respective states. The narrative that state governors are helpless in the mining sector because it is on the Exclusive Legislative List is a tired excuse that no longer holds water. While the Federal Government controls the issuance of licenses and royalties, the business of mining takes place on land held in trust by the state governors under the Land Use Act, for the people. If the Federal Government controls the license, who controls workforce development? Who controls value additions? Who controls infrastructure? These are all squarely within the state’s powers.

To ensure that the mining sector is protected from the vagaries of illegal miners, the Federal Government employs and deploys Mining Marshals, a specialised unit from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to combat illegal miners, secure mining sites, protect licenced miners, and boost revenue from the solid minerals sectors. Launched in 2023/2024, the marshals have reclaimed sites, arrested offenders, and are being further equipped to expand operations nationwide, working with other security agencies to formalise the sector.

To ensure that we get it right in the sector, the government must adopt a comprehensive approach focused on security, regulation, and community engagement. Strengthening security at mining sites is crucial to preventing bandits from regaining control. This requires deploying specialised security forces, enhancing surveillance with modern technology such as drones and satellite imagery, and fostering collaboration with local communities. Additionally, the government must establish a robust regulatory framework by conducting a census of mining sites, registering artisanal miners, and implementing transparent tracking of mineral extraction and sales to curb smuggling. Collaborations with private sector stakeholders and international partners can provide technical expertise, funding, and best practices to modernise Nigeria’s mining sector, which currently contributes less than 1% to the country’s official economic output.

Addressing economic vulnerabilities is equally important, as mining communities in Zamfara rely on the sector for their livelihoods. To ensure their economic stability while curbing illegal activities, the Federal Government should work with the state government to provide more employment opportunities in regulated mining operations; invest in alternative livelihoods; such as agriculture and small-scale industries to reduce dependency on mining; introduce community development programmes that address education, healthcare, and infrastructure needs, all of which bring government closer to the people and prevent recruitment by both criminal gangs and violent extremists.

Promoting environmental and health standards should be part of responsible mining, prioritising the health and well-being of miners and local communities. The government should enforce environmental regulations, ensuring that mining activities do not lead to health hazards like lead poisoning, soil degradation, water pollution, or other ecological harm. The Federal Government must demonstrate that it has the political will to develop the mining sector for the benefit of all Nigerians. For now, that sector is still majorly controlled by foreigners with some local collaborators and they won’t bat an eyelid in destabilising the country for their own selfish gains.

See you next week.

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‎‎The president administered the oath of office on Musa in his office at the State House, Abuja.

‎‎Tinubu had described Musa as a “fine gentleman” whose track record in service positions him to drive a more integrated national security response.”

‎‎The new defence minister’s appointment comes less than 48 hours after the resignation of his predecessor, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar.

‎‎Musa, 58, served as the Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 to October 2025, during which he oversaw broad counter-terrorism operations and inter-agency coordination efforts.

‎‎His nomination was transmitted to the Senate on Tuesday and was swiftly confirmed after rigorous screening on Wednesday, a development Tinubu praised as an evidence of legislative support for his security vision.

‎‎With the swearing-in now complete, Musa assumes full ministerial duties as the Tinubu administration pushes to consolidate recent gains and accelerate reforms aimed at delivering lasting peace and national stability.

‎‎The brief ceremony was attended by top government officials including Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris

‎‎Musa told State House Correspondents after the event that he would ensure better synergy among the Armed Forces to tackle terrorism and all forms of insecurity in the country.

‎‎”My immediate priority is to make sure that defence takes its place fully in the country.

‎‎”The synergy between the armed forces and other security agencies and all Nigerians being carried along as we have always said, that security is everybody’s responsibility.

“It is that synergy that we need to build on and work on it, and that’s what we’re going to and I can assure you, within the shortest possible time, Nigerians will see results.

‎”I want to use this medium to appreciate all Nigerians. Nigerians have shown me love, and I will guarantee them that I am going to work whatever it takes to ensure that Nigeria is secured,” he said.

Source: NAN

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