FG revokes 1,263 mineral licences over fees default

The Federal Government has withdrawn 1,263 mineral licences from operators who failed to pay the mandatory annual service fees, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, announced on Sunday.

The cancelled titles include 584 exploration licences, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licences, and 470 small-scale mining leases.

In a statement signed by his Media Aide, Mr Segun Tomori, Dr Alake said the measure followed a recommendation by the Mining Cadastral Office (MCO) and was aimed at eliminating speculators while opening space for serious investors.

According to him, “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. You don’t have to wait for us to revoke the licence because the law allows you to return it if you change your mind.”

He warned that the revocation does not clear defaulters of outstanding debts, stressing that their details would be forwarded to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for recovery.

Director-General of the MCO, Engr Simon Nkom, disclosed that 1,957 licences were initially flagged for revocation after a notice was published in the Federal Government Gazette on June 19, 2025.

He explained that the final approval was delayed due to reconciliation of payments made via Remita after some operators filed complaints.

This action brings the total number of mineral titles revoked under President Bola Tinubu’s administration to 3,794, including 619 cancelled for non-payment of fees and 912 for dormancy last year.

According to Dr Alake, the revocations form part of ongoing reforms to sanitise the solid minerals sector, which are already yielding “massive and manifest” positive results despite resistance from entrenched interests.