The Director-General of the Nigerian Mining Cadastral Office (NMCO), Engr. Obadiah Simon Nkom, expressed his gratitude and commitment after receiving the Outstanding Leadership Award from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). The award, presented in Abuja, recognised his significant contributions to Nigeria’s mining sector growth.
During his remarks, Nkom stressed that no nation can achieve industrial development without a thriving mining industry. He highlighted the importance of developing the sector to generate more jobs, particularly for Nigerian youth, and improve the well-being of citizens.
He assured NANS of close collaboration between his office and the association to drive national growth through innovative initiatives. Nkom expressed his admiration for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, commending its efforts to address the challenges facing Nigerian students and prioritise their welfare.
Acknowledging the recognition from NANS, Nkom said the award reflected the collective achievements of the NMCO team. He praised the organisation’s efforts in ensuring transparency, accountability, and maximising revenue generation under his leadership to ensure sector growth.
Upon his reappointment as Director-General in January, Nkom reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the NMCO’s mandate. He noted that the agency has consistently surpassed its revenue targets since he first assumed office in 2019, even amid challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our revenue has increased every year since 2019,” Nkom stated. “Even during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when operations were expected to halt, we exceeded the previous year’s performance. As of June this year, we have already surpassed last year’s revenue. This demonstrates the effectiveness of our efforts and the importance of internally generated revenue (IGR) to the mining sector.”
Nkom further emphasised that the continued growth of NMCO’s revenue imposes greater responsibilities on him and his team. He pledged to maintain the momentum, adding, “With the support of NANS, we can embark on this journey together. We are now partners in economic sector growth, and together, we will move forward.”
Reflecting on his tenure renewal, Nkom shared that former President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged his success in increasing the agency’s revenue by 86%. He noted that this achievement motivates him to pursue even higher targets for NMCO in the future. His work ethic is essential for the sector growth
Speaking on behalf of NANS, National Secretary Usman Baba Kaikai praised NMCO’s contributions to Nigeria’s economic growth under Nkom’s leadership. He highlighted the agency’s positive impact on the mining sector growth, describing it as an essential driver of national development.
Kaikai also commended the NMCO’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption measures, which he attributed to Nkom’s leadership. “The NMCO has significantly enhanced its operations and reputation under your guidance,” Kaikai said. “NANS is proud to associate with your stewardship, which has brought integrity and progress to the organisation.”
Kaikai assured Nkom of the unwavering support of Nigerian students, both at home and abroad, in furthering the mining sector’s development. He called on NMCO to continue its efforts to create opportunities for youth empowerment and economic sectorgrowth.
In his closing remarks, Nkom reiterated his dedication to fostering partnerships that would enable the mining sector to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economy. He reaffirmed NMCO’s commitment to achieving its mandate, ensuring that the mining industry remains a cornerstone of the nation’s industrial and economic development.
By working together with stakeholders such as NANS, Nkom expressed confidence in the sector’s potential to drive sustainable growth and improve the quality of life for Nigerians. With continued innovation and strategic collaboration, the NMCO is poised to play a pivotal role in realising the country’s economic aspirations.
