FG THREATENS TO REVOKE IDLE MINING LICENSES AS REFORMS GAIN PACE
The Nigerian government has issued a stern warning to license holders in the mining sector: develop your concessions or lose them. Director General of the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), Obadiah Simon-Nkom, announced that the agency had recorded N6.95 billion in revenue during Q1 2025, attributing the growth to strict reforms, a fully digitalised platform, and increased enforcement.
Simon-Nkom revealed that 152 licenses were modified during the period, while 955 applications were received—mostly for exploration. He reiterated the “use it or lose it” policy, urging speculators to vacate mineral-rich land if they lack development capacity. “If the deposit is not viable, relinquish the title,” he said.
The EMC+ digital system, operational since 2022, has enhanced transparency and eliminated manual loopholes. The DG described the agency as a “mini court” that now works with anti-graft bodies and has earned commendation from the ICPC. With international scrutiny rising, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit also views the MCO as central to the country’s removal from the global FATF grey list.
A key revenue driver has been a new fee system based on land area, curbing speculation and rewarding active development. “We’ve moved from vague promises to real transformation,” Simon-Nkom said, describing the reforms as a foundation for investor confidence and sustainable growth.
