This advocacy brief highlights findings from a multi-state study on the effectiveness of Community Development Agreements (CDAs) in Nigeria’s mining sector. It reveals that while CDAs have improved communication and reduced tension between mining companies and host communities, significant gaps persist, particularly around low public awareness, poor enforcement, and the exclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in decision-making processes.

The brief outlines actionable recommendations for government, mining companies, communities, and civil society. These include revising mining laws to incorporate intersectionality, ensuring community representation, and strengthening monitoring mechanisms. It calls for collaborative CDA models, better public engagement, and reforms to make CDAs tools for equitable and sustainable local development rather than instruments of tokenism or division.