Abuja: The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has approved the revocation of 1,263 mineral licences due to defaults in the payment of annual fees. Alake’s decision was announced in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, highlighting the government’s commitment to sanitizing the mining sector.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the revocation includes 584 exploration licences, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licences, and 470 small-scale mining leases. This action aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s strategy to reform the mining sector, ensuring that only committed investors retain their licences. The licences will be removed from the Electronic Mining Cadastral system portal, creating new opportunities for investors.
The minister emphasized the importance of the annual service fee as a sign of genuine interest in mining. He encouraged those who are not interested to return their licences voluntarily. By vacating areas previously covered by these licenses, the government anticipates a surge in fresh applications from investors seeking new opportunities.
Dr. Alake reiterated that the revocation does not absolve defaulters from their financial obligations. He revealed plans to forward the list of defaulters to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, emphasizing that debtors must fulfill their obligations or face legal consequences. This measure aims to encourage diligence and discourage speculative activities in the mining sector.
According to Tomori, Simon Nkom, Director-General of the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office, reported that 1,957 initial defaulters were identified when the intention to revoke licences was published in the Federal Government Gazette on June 19, 2025. Affected parties were given a 30-day window to comply, as stipulated by the Minerals and Mining Act 2007.
Tomori also noted that since President Bola Tinubu’s administration began, a total of 3,794 licences have been revoked, including 619 for non-payment of annual service fees and 912 for dormancy last year. In August, Dr. Alake announced plans to revoke over 1,000 licences to reposition the solid minerals sector as a key driver of national industrial growth.
The Tinubu administration is focused on transforming Nigeria’s mineral resources into jobs, supporting local industries, and fostering national prosperity.