The Federal Government has revoked 1,263 mineral licenses belonging to operators who defaulted in paying statutory service fees, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, announced on Sunday.
The revoked titles include 584 exploration licenses, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licenses and 470 small-scale mining leases.Alake said the move, approved after a recommendation by the Mining Cadastral Office (MCO), was aimed at ridding the sector of speculators hoarding licenses while genuine investors struggle to access viable sites.
“The era of obtaining licences and keeping them in drawers for the highest bidder is over,” Alake declared. “The annual service fee is the minimum evidence that you are interested in mining. Defaulters will also be referred to the EFCC for debt recovery.”
According to the Minister, the action raises the number of revoked titles under the Tinubu administration to 3,794, part of sweeping reforms that have “massive and manifest positive impacts despite resistance from defaulters and their agents.”
MCO Director-General, Engr. Simon Nkom, said 1,957 licenses were initially flagged for revocation after a notice was gazetted on June 19, 2025, but reconciliations of payments delayed final approval.
