The Nigerian government has annulled a total of 1,263 mineral licenses as a consequence of non-compliance with the annual service fee payment requirements.
The revoked licenses include 584 exploration licenses, 65 mining leases, and 144 quarry licenses.
According to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, this initiative intends to create new opportunities for investors and foster growth within the sector by eliminating speculative practices and disengaging unserious investors.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, emphasised that applying the law would pave the way for diligent investors, thereby growing the sector.
“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 license because the law allows you to return the license if you change your mind,“ the Minister noted.
He warned that the revocation does not mean the Nigerian Government has pardoned the annual service debt owed by licensees, adding that the list will be forwarded to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to ensure that debtors pay or face the wrath of the law. “This is to encourage due diligence and emphasise the consequences of inundating the license application processes with speculative activities.”
In a recommendation addressed to the Minister, Simon Nkom, the Director-General of the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), disclosed that there were 1,957 initial defaulters identified following the government’s announcement of its intention to revoke licenses, as published in the Federal Government Gazette on June 19, 2025.
Nkom informed the minister that the gazette has been disseminated to Mining Compliance Offices (MCO) across the nation to raise awareness among licensees and to encourage adherence within a timeframe of 30 days.
According to him, the initiative is in alignment with the provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act of 2007 and the applicable regulations.
The Director General of the MCO noted that the delay in the final recommendation was attributable to complaints from several licensees. These licensees reported having made payments to the federal government via Remita, which required reconciliation.
The Nigerian government aims to strengthen the mining sector’s contribution to the national economy by eliminating non-performing license holders and attracting credible investors.