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By Sani A. Musa
As Bauchi State commemorates two years of remarkable transformation in its natural resources sector, a new narrative is taking shape, one marked by visionary leadership, strategic reforms and unprecedented investments. At the center of this bold economic reawakening is an exceptional and extraordinary figure, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed (Kauran Daular Usmaniyya), the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, with his sectorial representative and strong player, Hon. Muhammad Maiwada Bello, the dynamic Commissioner for Natural Resources Development.
Appointed in August 2023, Hon. Maiwada Bello’s tenure at the Ministry has redefined subnational resource governance in Nigeria. What was once a largely dormant sector has now become one of the state’s most promising engines of economic growth, investment attraction, and human capital development. As the Commissioner marks his second anniversary in office, stakeholders across the country and indeed the continent are paying close attention to the Bauchi model.
From strategic policy reforms to global Investors engagement, Hon. Bello has delivered on the administration’s mandate with technocratic precision and relentless commitment. Backed by the unwavering support of Governor Bala Mohammed, the Ministry of Natural Resources Development has evolved into a model institution for 21st-century governance.
His Excellency is not just leading, he’s inspiring a generation of public servants to think big, act boldly, and deliver results. Under his guidance, the natural resources sector has become a magnet for billion dollar investments and long-term development projects says Hon. Maiwada Bello during a Radio/TV live broadcast at Bauchi Radio Corporation (BRC) a tenure reports title “The Scorecard” organized by the Ministry of Information and Communication in collaboration with the Ministry of Budget and Multi Lateral Coordination.
It’s aimed to engage Citizens, feedback and documentation on 3rd September, 2025. The program covered and aired live by 7 Radio/Television Stations as well as 10 community Radio stations in the state and numerous social media handles
Hon. Maiwada Bello said in April 2025, the Ministry recorded a major milestone with the successful hosting of a two-week mineral exploration training workshop at Zaranda Hotel.
The capacity-building exercise, attended by staff of the Ministry and the State-owned Bauchi Mining Company (BAMSEL), was instrumental in modernizing mineral exploration techniques across the state.
To complement this effort, the state government invested in millions of naira worth of advanced tools and deployed four fully equipped operational vehicles, two Toyota Hilux pickups and two Toyota buses to the Ministry’s BOGAA and BAMSEL. Beside these, a permanent premises for the Ministry was also acquired, allowing for streamlined operations and professionalized service delivery.
Since 2023, Hon. Bello has overseen the recruitment of 19 staff into BAMSEL/Ministry and 43 staff into the Bauchi Oil & Gas Academy (BOGAA) further boosting institutional strength. In collaboration with the Office of the Head of Service, he implemented a payroll accountability reform, ensuring transparency, productivity and value for money.
Governor Bala Mohammed’s foresight extends beyond economic infrastructure to human capacity development. This is best exemplified in the creation of the Bauchi Oil & Gas Academy (BOGAA) in Alkaleri. With NBTE-accredited courses and technical partnerships with leading training firms like Petro-Edu, BOGAA is now one of Northern Nigeria’s most promising technical institutions.
The Ministry’s internal capacity has grown stronger with the graduation of over 530 NVC students at BOGAA, the provision of multimillion-naira containerised equipments and the securing of 100% scholarships for all the pioneer BOGAA students. The construction of the permanent campus for BOGAA cost over ₦6 billion Naira which is currently ongoing with 30% funds released and contractors mobilized.
Another groundbreaking achievement is the introduction of the Mining Consent Letter Policy in December 2023. Prior to this reform, traditional authorities often issued mining consents without oversight, leading to environmental degradation, unregistered operators, and revenue loss. The new policy centralizes consent issuance under the Ministry, thus restoring order, enhancing security and ensuring accurate data collection.
To further support regulatory clarity, the Ministry commenced the documentation of mineral vendors, processors and Tinshade operators, alongside the introduction of clearance requirements for cooperative certificate holders, it’s a critical step in formalizing artisanal activities and enhancing security.
Hon. Bello also engaged the services of Bladira Consulting Firm to begin formalizing informal miners across the state. The goal is to generate a database of all informal miners, unify them under a single umbrella, register them with state and national bodies and empower them with small and medium-scale facilities. This effort will generate employment for thousands, increase state revenue and mitigate environmental and security risks.
Since 2023, the Ministry has formally registered over 100 mining Companies and created a safer and more accountable operating environment for both artisanal and industrial Miners. Illegal operators are now being actively encouraged to formalize their operations through clear, streamlined processes.
Hon. Bello has also succeeded in creating a revenue collection avenue from zero naira per month to over millions of Naira on monthly basis, boosting the internally generated revenue of the Ministry significantly.
Equally remarkable is the establishment of a joint venture between Bauchi Mining Company (BAMSEL) and an Indian entity known as Prompt Workman Ltd, valued at over $5 million USD. The JV, named Bauchi Vikas Resources Ltd, was formed to establish an international mineral trading center in Bauchi. A fully equipped facility has been acquired, and about 40 Bauchi indigenes have been employed under this venture, which is currently at the testing stage and set to launch soon.
Public enlightenment has also been prioritized with various sensitization workshops organized across host communities to educate residents about the dangers and challenges of illegal mining.
Hon. Bello’s tenure has seen the acquisition of more mining licenses for BAMSEL, and the construction of a gate, gatehouse, and perimeter fencing of a five-hectare land belonging to the Bauchi Mining Company in Magama Gumau, ensuring asset security and organizational readiness for expansion.
But perhaps the most celebrated milestone of Hon. Bello’s stewardship is the attraction of over $2 billions in confirmed mineral and industrial investments. With support from Governor Mohammed’s business-friendly administration, Bauchi has secured several flagship projects.
In Toro Local Government Area, a $50 million dollars Rare Earth Elements factory under a new joint venture BMCC NIG LTD, formed between the Bauchi State Government and Shandong Minsheng Group, has reached an advanced stage. The project is set to place Bauchi on the global rare earth elements map while creating significant employment for local communities.
Even more transformative is the establishment of a 10-millions metric tones cement factory with core drilling currently ongoing in Gwana, Alkaleri LGA, valued between $1.5 billion dollars. The plant is designed to operate for 100 years, it includes a 150 MW power plant, a staff housing estate, and will create over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.
These are some of the legacy projects, Commissioner Bello noted during the program that they represent the future of Bauchi, a future built on productivity, sustainability and innovation.
The Ministry’s value-chain expansion strategy is also taking shape with the development of the Kaura Mineral Processing and Buying Center in Gwaram Village, Alkaleri. Once operational, the center will serve as a hub for aggregation, trade and local processing, creating more value from Bauchi’s rich mineral base and empowering artisanal Miners.
Bauchi’s bold journey into global mining was further cemented in May 2025 when Commissioner Bello led the state’s delegation to the prestigious CIM CONNECT Mining Convention in Montreal, Canada and other relevant conference in China and South Africa. The mission successfully positioned Bauchi as a serious player in the international mining community, sparking interest from Investors in China, India, and Europe.
These combined efforts, recognizes Bauchi not just as a Nigerian success story but as a rising model for natural resource development in Africa.
As Hon. Muhammad Maiwada Bello marks his second year in office, he stands out as one of the most impactful Commissioners in Nigeria today, respected for his discipline, diplomacy and delivery. His understanding of global mining trends, combined with his loyalty to the vision of Governor Bala Mohammed, has created a new standard of leadership in the sector.
Meanwhile, Governor Bala Mohammed continues to win praise for his political courage, economic intelligence, and ability to inspire excellence across his cabinet. He has consistently shown that governance can be both visionary and practical, placing Bauchi on a firm path toward sustainable development.
In the words of a prominent industry expert, Bauchi State has become the most exciting mining destination in Nigeria today not by chance, but by choice, strategy and visionary leadership.
As the nation looks for new economic models in the post-oil era, Bauchi is writing its own success story, one chapter at a time and one bold step at a time.
And for Hon. Maiwada Bello and Governor Bala Mohammed, the journey is only just the beginning.
During the questions and answers session of the program a caller Kabiru KB from Bauchi appreciated the State Government for taking giant stride in the Ministry of Natural Resources Development for opening up the potentials of the state and commended the State Governor for considering the square peg in a square hole, Hon. Mohammed Maiwada Bello as it Commissioner.
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