State regulation, artisanal gold mining, and the banditry challenge in northwest Nigeria

This paper tackles the complex dynamics of state regulation, artisanal gold mining, and the increasingly severe problem of banditry in northwest Nigeria. Based on the theory of state fragility and a review of the extant literature combined with field data analyses, the study contributes immensely to the discussion of resource governance and security in the region. It hypothesises that the interdependence between artisanal gold miners’ practices and weak state regulations significantly influences the prevalence of banditry, affecting governance, security, and community well-being. It argues that plausible state regulation of artisanal gold mining to mitigate banditry in northwest Nigeria will require collaborative efforts among government institutions, security forces, local communities, and regional partners.