FG revokes 1,263 mineral licences over service fee defaults

The Federal Government has revoked 1,263 mineral licences for failure to meet annual service fee obligations, in a move aimed at sanitising Nigeria’s solid minerals sector and creating opportunities for more serious investors.

The licenses, which would be deleted from the Electronic Mining Cadastral System (eMC+), include 584 exploration licenses, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licenses, and 470 small-scale mining leases a statement by the ministry notified.

Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, said the decision was part of Government’s resolve to enforce compliance with the Minerals and Mining Act 2007 and discourage speculative practices that hinder sectoral growth.

“The era of obtaining licences and keeping them in drawers for the highest bidder while financially capable and industrious businessmen are complaining of access to good sites is over.

“The annual service fee is the minimum evidence that you are interested in mining”, Alake said.

He added that while the licences had been revoked, the outstanding debts are still enforceable, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) set to pursue recovery from defaulting licensees.

According to Simon Nkom, Director-General of the Mining Cadastral Office (MCO), 1,957 titles were initially flagged in June when the Federal Government gazetted its intention to revoke licenses. Following a 30-day compliance window and reconciliation of payment claims, 1,263 titles were confirmed as defaulting.

The latest action brings the total number of revoked mineral titles under the current administration to 3,794 — comprising 2,619 titles revoked for non-payment of fees and 912 revoked for dormancy last year.

The Ministry said the move would open up fresh opportunities for genuine investors and accelerate reforms in the mining industry, a sector the Tinubu administration is positioning as a key driver of economic diversification