The Federal Government has warned that the era of hoarding mineral-rich land without tangible development is over, while urging title holders to either develop their concessions or relinquish them.

Director General of the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), Obadiah Simon-Nkom, who gave the warning in an interview with journalists in Abuja, stressed the government’s “use it or lose it” approach to mineral licensing.

He announced that the agency recorded over N6.95 billion in revenue in the first quarter of 2025, attributing the milestone to sweeping reforms, digital transformation, and strategic licensing practices.

Simon-Nkom disclosed that 152 license modifications were processed in Q1, covering mineral changes, relinquishments, transfers, and renewals.

“Out of 955 applications received in Q1, 651 were for exploration licenses, an expected trend given exploration’s role as the foundation for viable mining projects. The principle remains: ‘Use it or lose it.’ We’re no longer in an era where people hoard vast mineral-rich lands without development. If the deposit is not economically viable, surrender the title and move on,” he said.

Simon-Nkom further linked the revenue surge to the agency’s fully digitalised licensing platform, EMC+, which has been in operation since November 2022.

He said the system, which is now the sole channel for all mineral title applications and transactions in Nigeria, has revolutionised the process, offering real-time updates and improved efficiency.

The agency was established in 2007 with the responsibility for the administration and management of mineral titles in Nigeria, in accordance with Section 5 (1) of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.

According to the DG, these efforts were part of broader reforms inspired by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development seven-point agenda, aimed at curbing illegal mining, enhancing investor confidence, and sanitising the sector.

“The only channel for submission is the EMC+ system. It’s completely online—transparent, efficient, and real-time. We are no longer just hopeful. We are witnessing the realization of a vision that is transforming Nigeria’s mining industry,” he noted.

Simon-Nkom said the MCO has transitioned from outdated polygon-based licensing to a modern, web-based electronic mining cadastral system that tracks every stage of the application process.

This leap, the DG said, has improved transparency and reduced room for manipulation.

He said the agency now works closely with security and anti-graft agencies, adding that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has recently cleared the office of compliance concerns and commended its digitisation efforts.

According to him, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), in particular, sees licensing agencies like the MCO as critical to Nigeria’s efforts to exit the global Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “grey list.”

The DG noted that the N6.95 billion revenue was driven by system-governed fees such as annual service fees, processing charges, late renewal penalties, and search/certification charges.

The DG noted that the review of license fees, far from being arbitrary, involved recalibrating charges to match land usage realities.

“If you want to hold 200 square kilometres, you’ll now pay proportionately. No more paying the same fee as someone holding 20 square kilometres,” he explained.

According to him, this process has become a strategic tool to streamline the licensing system, encourage operational mines, and weed out speculators.

The DG described the office as a mini court, handling petitions with legal and technical scrutiny, adding that mechanisms such as affidavits, traditional ruler validation, and community engagement are employed to ensure due process.