Nigeria: FG Revokes 1,263 Mining Licences Over Unpaid Service Fees

The Federal Government has revoked 1,263 mineral licenses following defaults in the payment of mandatory annual service fees.

The decision, approved by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, was announced on Sunday in Abuja through a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori.

According to Alake, the revocation—recommended by the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office (MCO)—covers 584 exploration licenses, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licenses, and 470 small-scale mining leases.

The minister explained that the move is part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader reforms to sanitise and reposition Nigeria’s mining sector for growth.

“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,” Alake said.

With the affected licenses now deleted from the Electronic Mining Cadastre system, the government expects to open up new opportunities for serious investors.

Alake stressed that enforcing compliance is necessary to discourage speculation and ensure that only committed players drive the solid minerals sector forward.

“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 warned.

The minister added that while licenses have been revoked, outstanding debts remain. He revealed that the list of defaulters will be forwarded to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure recovery.

“This is to encourage due diligence and emphasise the consequences of inundating the license application processes with speculative activities,” he said.

Nearly 2,000 Initial Defaulters

Tomori noted that the MCO Director-General, Simon Nkom, had earlier informed the minister that 1,957 license holders were initially flagged for default. Their names were published in the Federal Government Gazette on June 19, 2025, giving them 30 days to comply as required by the Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.

Despite the notice, many failed to meet the deadline.

Over 3,700 Licenses Revoked Under Tinubu

Since the start of the Tinubu administration, a total of 3,794 mineral titles have been revoked, including 619 licenses for non-payment of service fees and 912 licenses for dormancy in 2024

In August, Alake had hinted that over 1,000 licenses would be revoked as part of ongoing efforts to transform the mining industry into a key driver of industrialisation and continental economic leadership.