ASSESSING EMPLOYMENT RESPONSIBILITIES OF MINING COMPANIES AS THE PIVOT FOR INVESTMENT DECISION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIA’S MINING SECTOR

The Nigerian mining sector is in a developmental phase, with the Federal Government actively working to attract foreign investment in the sector as a means of diversifying from the petroleum industry while also enhancing local capacity and expertise. To structure this sector effectively, the government has implemented legal and policy frameworks to regulate local employment, a common strategy among developing nations to foster knowledge transfer and address skills shortage. These regulatory policies aim to build the capacity of the national labour force, thereby boosting the productivity and competitiveness of the mining sector. As Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy away from petroleum dependency, the mining sector's growth is critical. This study examines the adequacy of Nigeria’s labour policies and legal frameworks in regulating mining activities for both local and foreign employees. It analyses restrictions on foreign workers, eligibility for expatriate quotas and visa requirements, while underscoring training programmes to develop local expertise. This work further analyses the expectations of prospective investors to determine the suitability of the minerals and mining legal and regulatory environment as a precursor to making investment decisions. This approach is built on prospective mining companies and other investors in the sectors’ usual investigative inquiry as documented by the Minerals Law in Africa project.