The Niger State Government has issued a final warning to scrap metal dealers and scavengers across the state to complete their registration before November 15, 2025, or face strict penalties.
The directive, announced by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman, aims to regulate and monitor the growing scrap metal business in the state. The SSG explained that the registration exercise, which began on December 22, 2024, at his office, was designed to bring order to the industry and curb illegal activities associated with it.
According to the SSG, the state government will not extend the registration deadline under any circumstances. “No further extension will be granted, and failure to comply within the stipulated deadline will attract appropriate sanctions, including the closure of business premises, arrest, and prosecution of defaulters,” he said.
Alhaji Usman emphasized that all registered scavengers and scrap dealers must operate with official identification jackets and ID cards issued by the state government. Anyone found scavenging or transporting metal scraps without proper identification will be treated as an offender.
“It is imperative for all registered scavengers to note that they must operate only with the approved identification jackets and ID cards issued by the registration authorities,” the SSG warned. “Any individual found scavenging without proper identification will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.”
The move is part of the government’s effort to regulate the scrap metal industry, which has often been linked to cases of theft, vandalism, and environmental pollution. Over the years, some scavengers have been accused of stealing electricity cables, manhole covers, road signs, and other public property in the name of scrap collection.
By enforcing registration, the state hopes to separate legitimate dealers from criminals posing as scavengers and to ensure accountability within the sector.
The SSG stated that the administration of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago remains determined to ensure that all economic activities, including scrap collection and recycling, are properly organized and contribute positively to the state’s economy. He noted that the unregulated operations of scavengers in the past had raised security and environmental concerns, as many operated without supervision or compliance with basic safety standards.
“The government is committed to ensuring that all economic activities in the state are properly organized and regulated to contribute meaningfully to Niger’s development without compromising environmental safety or public order,” Usman said.
He added that the scrap metal business, when properly managed, has the potential to create jobs, promote recycling, and reduce waste in the environment. However, he stressed that it must be carried out responsibly and within the framework of the law.
In recent years, several state governments across Nigeria, including Niger, have introduced policies to regulate the scrap metal industry. This is in response to rising cases of vandalism of public infrastructure such as railway tracks, electricity installations, and water pipes, often linked to unregistered scrap dealers.
In many communities, scavengers — often referred to as “Mai Bola” — have been accused of breaking into homes and stealing valuable metal items. Law enforcement agencies have also reported incidents where stolen materials from government projects were traced to scrap yards.
To address these challenges, the Niger State Government launched the registration exercise in 2024 to identify genuine operators, issue them identification materials, and create a database for monitoring their activities. The initiative is also intended to improve revenue generation for the state by formalizing the sector and ensuring that those involved pay appropriate taxes and levies.
However, despite repeated announcements, many scavengers and scrap dealers are yet to register, prompting the government’s latest warning.
With less than two weeks left to the deadline, the SSG urged all individuals and associations involved in scrap metal trading to take advantage of this final window of opportunity to regularize their operations.
“The government has provided enough time for all scavengers and scrap dealers to register. We urge everyone concerned to complete their registration before November 15, 2025. This is the last opportunity,” Usman stressed.
He warned that after the deadline, enforcement teams would begin a statewide operation to shut down unregistered businesses and prosecute offenders. The operation, he said, will involve collaboration between the Ministry of Environment, security agencies, and local government authorities.
Some industry stakeholders have welcomed the government’s move, describing it as a step toward professionalism and accountability in the scrap business. A registered scrap dealer in Minna, who gave his name as Musa Abdullahi, said the policy would help to protect genuine traders from being mistaken for criminals.
“Some people are giving us a bad name because they steal government property and say they are scavengers. If everyone is registered, it will be easy to know who is genuine and who is not,” Abdullahi said.
However, others have appealed to the government to make the registration process more accessible, especially for scavengers operating in remote areas who may not have the means to travel to the state capital.
As the November 15 deadline approaches, the Niger State Government says it will not tolerate non-compliance. Officials insist that regulating the scrap industry is part of a broader plan to promote law and order, protect public property, and build a cleaner, safer environment.
