By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Mr Adesola Obisola, an economic expert, has urged stakeholders in the mining industry to support the ongoing reforms being implemented by the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office (NMCO).

Obisola in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, said the agency needed the necessary support instead of spreading unfounded allegations against it.

He said that collective effort and trust in government institutions and their leadership were essential in driving the reforms needed for the country’s development, especially in the mining sector.

According to him, by fostering collaboration, transparency, and innovation, the sector is poised to contribute greatly to Nigeria’s economic diversification and sustainable development.

“The ongoing reforms may not yet be perfect, the NMCO is on the right path to transforming the mining sector for the benefit of all Nigerians.

“Support from all quarters including government agencies, private investors, community leaders, and civil society is crucial to consolidating gains made through efforts like the digitalisation of mining licences, capacity building of professionals, and streamlining of regulatory procedures.

“Embracing a cooperative approach can unlock the vast mineral wealth beneath Nigeria’s soil, create jobs, and bolster local economies,” Obisola said.

He said that focusing on constructive engagement rather than divisive rumors would help build a resilient mining sector capable of attracting global partnerships and benefiting the nation at large.

“The future of Nigeria’s mining industry depends not only on technical reforms but also on our collective resolve to uphold integrity, foster innovation, and pursue a shared vision of a prosperous, transparent, and efficient sector,” he added.

On recent reports suggesting that the NMCO was “a threat to national security” amid allegations of corruption and bribery, Obisola described these claims as baseless and unfounded.

He dismissed such rumours as misinformation spread by individuals seeking to tarnish the agency’s reputation for personal gain.

Obisola said that under the leadership of the Director-General, Obadiah Nkom and the supervision of the Minister Dele Alake, the NMCO, was actively implementing reforms to improve the mining sector.

He listed migration of mining licence applications to the electronic Mining Cadastre Plus (eMC+) platform as one of the key initiatives being implemented by the agency.

According to him, the system initially experienced some technical glitches, prompt attention and corrective measures has been deployed.

Obisola said that the platform now delivered enhanced transparency, efficiency, and real-time access to mining licence information.

He also highlighted ongoing capacity-building initiatives and international collaborations aimed at equipping Nigerian mining professionals with world-class skills and expertise.

On concerns about “overlapping titles,” Obisola said that those issues arose mainly from challenges related to the system migration and not from malpractice.

He said it was in the public knowledge that the complaints lodged by stakeholders had been resolved by NMCO.

Obisola explained that obtaining community consent documents were the responsibility of mining applicants, not the office.

On allegations of unofficial charges, Obisola urged accusers to provide evidence to enable proper investigation, arrest, and prosecution.

He noted that certain individuals impersonating NMCO officials had previously been arrested, expressing confidence that the agency would continue maintaining its integrity and transparency. (NAN)

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams