Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake has attributed the giant strides recorded to digital reforms introduced to the sector by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration in the last two and a half years.
He made this declaration in Abuja while inaugurating the OneGov Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) at the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) – a critical agency under his Ministry.
Alake, who was elated by the major breakthrough recorded by MCO, said that digital reforms are now powering “unprecedented revenue, transparency, operational efficiency” of the sector and global recognition.
Describing the launch as “a monumental step that reflects the new colors of success, progress, and efficiency in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.”
The Minister explained that the achievement underscores the decisive shift his administration has driven since the assuming office.
“What the MCO has achieved today is symptomatic of the entire sector. We have made strident strides across every part of the solid minerals ecosystem,” he stated.
Disclosing that government revenue from the sector had risen sharply due to digitisation, strict policy enforcement, and improved licensing processes.
“When we came in, revenue was about ₦6 billion. We doubled that within a year. And this year, we are almost tripling it,” he said.
He further said that the revenue of the sector jumped from ₦28 billion in 2024 to over ₦50 billion in 2025, a growth he attributed to the digitisation, transparency-driven reforms and stronger oversight.
He then commended the MCO for eliminating bottlenecks and accelerating service delivery, adding that the transformation had restored investor confidence in the sector.
He commended the MCO leadership for combining innovation with discipline, courage, and strong administrative structure.
Commending Galaxy Backbone for powering the OneGov system, Alake also counselled the agency to ensure uninterrupted internet connectivity to prevent workflow disruptions.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Faruk Yusuf Yabo, hailed the MCO for demonstrating “exemplary leadership and commitment to modernization in this age of AI and digital systems.”
“As the first department under the ministry to go live, the MCO is raising the standard and providing the model for others to follow,” he said.
He stressed that the OneGov system is not merely an automation tool but a secure, intelligent digital backbone capable of transforming governance.
“Our goal is to ensure every officer works smarter, faster and more securely, delivering greater value to citizens and investors,” Yabo added.
For MCO Director General, Obadiah Simon Nkom, the scheme was a historic moment for government efficiency nationwide, adding that the digital achievements had earned the agency national recognition, including the NIRA Award for Best Digital and Innovation Agency.
According to him, “This milestone is not just for the ministry or the mining sector. It is a milestone for the entire country.”
He disclosed that the agency’s revenue rose from ₦6.17 billion in 2023 to ₦12 billion in 2024, and has already surpassed ₦30 billion in 2025, attributing the increase to strong ministerial support, reforms, and compliance-driven digitization..
The Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone, Gana Nsuba, praised the MCO for “raising the bar” and aligning fully with the Federal Government’s OneGov Cloud agenda.
“The MCO is demonstrating what is possible through leadership, collaboration, and digital courage,” he noted.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
