The Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) has announced a first-quarter revenue of ₦6.95 billion for 2025, attributing the impressive figure to a sweeping digital overhaul and a firm stance on transparency and accountability.
In an interview with journalists in Abuja, the Director General of the MCO, Engr. Obadiah Simon-Nkom, credited the surge in revenue to the successful deployment of the EMC+ platform—a fully digitised, end-to-end system for mineral title applications introduced in November 2022.
“This is our only submission channel—completely online, transparent, efficient, and real-time,” said Simon-Nkom. He explained that this transformation has not only enhanced the ease of doing business in the sector but also boosted investor confidence.
The reforms align with the seven-point agenda of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, which targets illegal mining and systemic inefficiencies. Simon-Nkom noted that the agency’s shift from a manual, polygon-based system to a web-based cadastral platform has created full global visibility for applications.
“What we see in Abuja, applicants around the world can see too,” he added.
The DG emphasised strong collaboration with oversight and regulatory bodies, including the ICPC, EFCC, DSS, NEITI, NFIU, and the Civil Defence Corps. He noted that the ICPC had recently cleared the MCO of compliance issues, while the NFIU recognised the agency as critical to Nigeria’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.
The ₦6.95 billion revenue came from structured service charges such as licensing, annual fees, penalties for late renewals, and certification requests. Of the 955 applications received, 651 were for exploration licenses—underscoring exploration’s critical role in Nigeria’s mining ecosystem.
“The rule is simple: use it or lose it. Hoarding undeveloped mineral-rich land is no longer tolerated,” Simon-Nkom warned.
He added that the recalibration of license fees now reflects land size, ensuring that holders of larger areas pay proportionately more. In Q1, the office also processed 152 license modifications, including mineral type changes, transfers, relinquishments, and renewals—all part of a broader effort to eliminate speculators.
Simon-Nkom revealed that the MCO is considering a new policy that would require partial land surrender after a first license renewal, in line with global standards.
Beyond processing licenses, the MCO has also played a key role in resolving land and community disputes. Describing the office as a “mini court,” Simon-Nkom said it investigates petitions with both legal and technical rigour.
“We don’t ignore complaints—we investigate and resolve them to avoid unnecessary litigation,” he said.
To improve accessibility, zonal offices have been established in all six geopolitical zones. Notably, Niger State led the country in Q1 submissions with 75 applications, driven by its rich deposits of gold and other precious minerals.
The MCO has maintained a 100% success rate in litigation, a feat Simon-Nkom attributed to the agency’s strict adherence to legal procedures. “Even when mistakes occur, we resolve them within the law—so most litigants choose to settle,” he stated.
Looking ahead, the DG reaffirmed the MCO’s commitment to deepening reforms, strengthening partnerships, and achieving global best practices.
“We’re on the right track. The international community is paying attention, and investors are responding,” he said.
