The Nigerian government has raised concerns about the illegal mining and smuggling of gold to countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This illegal trade deprives Nigeria of significant revenue and hinders efforts to formalize and regulate the mining sector. The government believes that unauthorized miners, often working without oversight or proper documentation, exploit Nigeria’s gold resources and smuggle them out of the country, often facilitated by organized crime networks.
To combat this, Nigerian authorities have been intensifying efforts to enforce stricter regulations on mining activities, improve surveillance, and collaborate internationally to track illegal gold flows. By curbing illicit practices, Nigeria hopes to retain more revenue domestically and promote the development of its mining industry in a sustainable and lawful manner.
