The Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) has generated a total of N73.9 billion in revenue over the past four years, reflecting a steady rise in mining sector activities and growing investor interest in Nigeria’s mineral resources.

Data released by the agency show that the office received 66,768 mineral title applications, including both new applications and requests to modify existing licences.

Out of the new mineral title applications, the MCO granted 30,799, rejected 22,619, and revoked 11,525 licences in line with regulatory provisions.

For modifications to mineral titles, the agency approved 4,772 requests and rejected 409. In addition, 13,326 mineral titles expired within the period under review.

The figures also show a significant increase in the agency’s yearly revenue, with the breakdown as follows: 2022: N3.79 billion; 2023: N6.07 billion; 2024: N12.58 billion; and 2025: N33.49 billion.

The surge in 2025 revenue was largely attributed to the payment of initial service fees, the submission of consents, conflict resolution processes, and recent mineral title submissions.

Speaking on the achievements in an exclusive interview with The Guardian, MCO’s Director-General, Obadiah Nkom, noted that the agency had deliberately remained modest about its feats despite earning national recognition for innovation and digital transformation.

Nkom explained that one of the major milestones of the office was the migration of its operations to a fully online, web-based system, a reform that has significantly improved efficiency and transparency in the licensing process.

He said: “We have been very modest and we don’t talk much about the whole thing, but the achievements are there. Apart from being singled out as one of the best federal agencies in the country in terms of digitalisation and innovation, we have received several awards recognising our work.

“The system itself has been migrated to an online platform. It has been almost two years, about two years and three months, since we migrated, and it has been performing wonderfully.”

According to him, the digital transformation has helped attract more foreign direct investments into Nigeria’s mining sector, with an increasing number of international companies applying for mining licences.

Nkom added that the country’s favourable geology and abundance of mineral deposits make it an attractive investment destination.

He also attributed the progress recorded in the sector to reforms under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and policies introduced by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake.