The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, briefing newsmen in Abuja
Federal Government of Nigeria has revoked 1,263 mineral licences due to non-payment of annual service fees, as approved by Dr. Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development.
The decision, announced on Sunday in Abuja by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, aims to sanitize Nigeria’s mining sector under President Bola Tinubu led administration.
The revoked licences, recommended by the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), include 584 exploration licences, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licences, and 470 small-scale mining leases.
Alake explained that the move will free up space on the MCO’s Electronic Mining Cadastral system, stating, “The annual service fee is the minimum evidence that you are interested in mining. You don’t have to wait for us to revoke the licence because the law allows you to return the licence if you change your mind.”
The minister emphasized that the revocation will open opportunities for serious investors, noting, “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.”
He added that the action aligns with efforts to deter speculators and attract diligent investors to grow the sector.
Alake clarified that revocation does not waive unpaid fees, warning, “This is to encourage due diligence and emphasize the consequences of inundating the licence application processes with speculative activities.” The list of defaulters will be forwarded to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further action.
According to Tomori, MCO Director-General Simon Nkom reported that 1,957 licences were initially flagged for revocation in a June 19, 2025, Federal Government Gazette, with a 30-day compliance period. Since the Tinubu administration began, 3,794 licences have been revoked, including 619 for unpaid fees and 912 for dormancy last year.
