By Fatima Saka
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has commended Nigeria’s Mining Cadastre Office (NMCO) for its innovative eMCO+ system, describing it as a benchmark for digital excellence and transparency in the extractive sector.
Chairman of the ECOWAS National Experts on Extractives, Madu Hassan Fika, gave the commendation at the end of a high-level delegation’s visit to the MCO in Abuja.
He expressed admiration for the Federal Government’s digital platform, which he said had surpassed expectations and positioned Nigeria as a regional leader.
“My impression was marvelous. I never expected I would see something like this. It completely changed my perception of Nigeria’s mining administration,” Fika said.
He emphasized that Nigeria’s progress offers a blueprint for other ECOWAS member states, noting the country’s pivotal role in advancing regional cooperation in the extractive sector.
“We have seen significant progress at the Mining Cadastre Office here in Abuja. All our member states can learn a great deal from Nigeria’s approach,” Fika added.
According to him, the ECOWAS delegation is exploring the establishment of a regional geo-extractive observatory and unified cadastral system, with Nigeria likely to lead the initiative.
“Having visited Nigeria, member states with less developed systems can now emulate this model. Nigeria will take the lead in shaping a regional platform that will promote transparency, improve data accessibility, and attract investment,” he said.
Fika further noted that a regional system would amplify Nigeria’s achievements, drawing global attention and increased investment to its mining sector.
Also speaking during the visit, Eugene Norman, Manager of the Mining Cadastre Office in Sierra Leone, stressed the importance of peer-to-peer learning within the region.
“As West Africans, we’re working towards a geo-observability and mining cadastre system. It’s important to learn from Nigeria’s experience—what has worked, what hasn’t, and how we can replicate success,” Norman said.
William Badieo, Head of the ECOWAS Delegation, stated that the visit was a follow-up to an earlier feasibility report confirming the viability of a regional system.
“We’ve moved beyond theory. This second phase is focused on ensuring each member state meets minimum operational standards before full integration,” he explained.
He praised Nigeria’s eMCO+ platform as a practical and transparent solution: “It’s not just functional, it’s exemplary.”
In response, Director-General of the Mining Cadastre Office, Engr. Simon Nkom Obadiah, described the visit as a milestone for regional cooperation. He highlighted the benefits and challenges of operating the eMCO+, which was launched in November 2022.
“Member states have now seen in real-time how the system works—from application to approval. It’s an opportunity for the region to harmonize systems and make investment more seamless across borders,” he said.
Obadiah added that the visit would contribute to regional development and align with Nigeria’s broader goals of attracting investment and expanding the mining sector.
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He also noted that the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, was aware of the visit and expressed interest in further engagement with ECOWAS experts.
“This is a positive development for the ministry, the sector, and the economy. A unified regional platform can only make us stronger,” Obadiah concluded.
