The Plateau State Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Mineral Development has arrested more than 100 illegal miners in Jos, the state capital, as part of a broader campaign to tackle environmental degradation and protect the state’s natural resources. The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Yabilsu Dogo, revealed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.
The crackdown, carried out in collaboration with the police, aims to address the growing threat posed by unregulated mining activities, which have caused severe environmental damage and economic losses. Dogo emphasized that illegal mining has led to widespread land degradation, weakening soil structures and increasing the risk of land subsidence and sinkholes.
“Over time, these activities will lead to more incidents of land subsidence and sinkholes, making the ground unstable for buildings, roads, and other infrastructure,” Dogo warned. He also linked the collapse of buildings in Jos last year to the destabilizing effects of illegal mining, noting that indiscriminate digging compromises the structural integrity of the land, especially during heavy rains or seismic events.
The Permanent Secretary further highlighted the dangers faced by illegal miners themselves, revealing that several individuals have lost their lives after being trapped in the deep pits and tunnels they dug. Beyond the environmental and safety concerns, Dogo lamented the economic impact of illegal mining, stating that the state loses significant revenue due to unregulated mineral extraction.
To address these challenges, the Plateau State government has ramped up enforcement measures while also promoting sustainable mining practices. Dogo explained that the ministry is working to raise public awareness about the dangers of illegal mining and is exploring alternative livelihood options for those involved in the illicit activity.
“Our focus is not just on enforcement but also on educating the public about safe mining practices and creating viable alternatives for illegal miners,” he said. “We are committed to protecting our environment and ensuring that mining activities are conducted responsibly and sustainably.”
The government’s efforts underscore its determination to safeguard Plateau State’s natural resources and infrastructure while addressing the root causes of illegal mining. By combining enforcement with education and economic alternatives, the state aims to strike a balance between environmental protection and the livelihoods of its citizens.
As the crackdown continues, the Plateau State government is sending a clear message: illegal mining will no longer be tolerated, and sustainable practices must prevail for the benefit of current and future generations.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is rolling out V-Pass, a biometric identity verification system designed to make domestic air travel faster, safer and more seamless.
Developed in partnership with M/S Verxid Technologies Limited, the system will let passengers confirm their identities through facial recognition, reducing the need to rely on physical ID documents at airports.
The rollout was reviewed during a strategic meeting between FAAN and Verxid Technologies Limited, where both sides discussed deployment plans, security measures and ways to improve the passenger experience.
FAAN said the initiative shows its commitment to using technology to improve passenger facilitation and aviation security across domestic airports. V-Pass will give travellers a secure digital identity through a one-time enrolment process.
Nigerian passengers will register with their NIN and facial biometric capture, while foreign passengers will enrol using international passports through OCR and biometric authentication. The system will check passengers before they enter restricted areas and again before boarding.
This dual-verification process is meant to prevent impersonation, unauthorized access and identity fraud, while giving security agencies greater confidence in passenger authentication. During rollout, passengers will be able to use self-service kiosks or get help from FAAN staff.
E-Gates will automate access to controlled areas, reduce queues and improve passenger flow. Developers say biometric processing will take less than 30 seconds after enrolment, while first-time registration will take about one minute. V-Pass will also give airlines secure access to flight schedules, passenger manifests and boarding statistics through a digital platform.
FAAN will benefit from a Central Management System that tracks passenger movement, generates analytics and supports future integration with other airport systems. FAAN and Verxid said data privacy remains central to the project.
The system complies with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), and passenger data will not be stored on kiosks or handheld devices. Before deployment, FAAN and Verxid plan to launch a nationwide sensitisation campaign.
The campaign will run across TV, radio, social media, airport announcements and airline advisories to help passengers understand how V-Pass works. A live Proof of Concept demonstration and technical site assessment will also be carried out before full rollout
FAAN says V-Pass is part of its broader digital transformation agenda. By combining biometric technology with modern access control, FAAN hopes to build a smarter, safer and more efficient airport system for domestic travellers.
BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—Mrs. Yetunde Ilori, the outgoing President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), has stated that her greatest fulfillment after two years in office is successfully elevating insurance literacy into a national conversation.
This milestone was achieved through targeted initiatives that reached children, students, professionals, and various communities across Nigeria.
Speaking at her valedictory virtual press conference marking the end of her tenure as CIIN’s 52nd President, Ilori reflected on her administration’s key achievements.
She described her leadership journey as one driven by a steadfast commitment to expanding insurance education, strengthening professionalism, building capacity, and fostering deeper industry collaboration.
She expressed deep gratitude to the media for their unwavering support in publicizing the institute’s programs, noting that journalists played a vital role in boosting insurance awareness and enhancing public understanding of the sector’s economic importance.
“I came into office with a clear intention to make a difference,” Ilori said. “Leadership should always be measured by the impact it creates and the legacy it leaves behind.”
Ilori explained that her administration was guided by the EPIC agenda—focused on Education, Professionalism, Institutional and Individual Recognition, and Capacity Building. This strategic framework served as the foundation for the institute’s major initiatives over the past two years.
Key Milestones of the EPIC Administration
Nationwide Advocacy: A defining achievement of her tenure was expanding “Insurance Week” into a nationwide campaign. The initiative took advocacy beyond traditional industry circles and directly into local markets, schools, universities, and public spaces.
Early Childhood Education: To nurture financial literacy from an early age, the CIIN published two introductory books simplified for children aged 4–10 and 11–16, making insurance concepts accessible and relatable.
Youth & Tech Innovation: To foster innovation, the institute promoted youth participation through a specialized Hackathon, bringing together students, tech experts, and insurance practitioners to develop digital solutions for the sector.
The Million-Youth Project: Ilori highlighted a landmark partnership with the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development. This digital learning initiative aims to train one million Nigerian youths in insurance and financial literacy, equipping them with the skills to pursue careers in insurance, entrepreneurship, and sound financial planning.
She also praised the strengthened collaboration among insurers, regulators, and professional bodies, noting that these collective efforts contributed to major industry reforms, including supporting the progress of the new insurance bill.
Beyond domestic policy reforms, the CIIN under her leadership expanded its reach to Nigerian insurance professionals in the diaspora, upgraded facilities at the College of Insurance, and enhanced career development through directors’ conferences, specialized training, and student internship opportunities.
Ilori emphasized that the successes of her tenure were the result of industry-wide teamwork rather than individual effort.
“As I leave office, my desire is for this stakeholder collaboration to continue,” she concluded. “It is not about any single individual; it is about the institution and the sustainable growth of the Nigerian insurance industry.”