FG revokes 1,263 mineral licenses over service fee defaults

The Federal Government has revoked 1,263 mineral licenses belonging to operators who defaulted in paying annual service fees, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development announced on Sunday.

The revoked titles include 584 exploration licenses, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licenses, and 470 small-scale mining leases, according to the ministry.

The action followed the recommendation of the Mining Cadastral Office (MCO) after several months of default notices.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, said the decision was aimed at sanitizing the sector by discouraging speculators and making way for genuine investors.

“The era of obtaining licenses 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 said.

“The annual service fee is the minimum evidence that you are interested in mining.”

The minister added that the revocation does not absolve license holders of their outstanding debts, noting that the list of defaulters would be forwarded to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for enforcement.

According to the Director-General of the MCO, Engr. Simon Nkom, there were initially 1,957 defaulters when the intention to revoke licenses was gazetted on June 19, 2025.

He explained that the process was delayed to allow for reconciliation of payments by some licensees who had paid via Remita.

With the latest action, the total number of mineral titles revoked under the Tinubu administration now stands at 3,794, including 619 licenses revoked for non-payment of service fees and 912 for dormancy last year.

The ministry said the move is part of ongoing reforms to sanitize Nigeria’s solid minerals sector and attract fresh investment opportunities.