The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office (NMCO) have initiated a strategic collaboration to enhance the coordination and regulation of mineral resource activities within the territory.
The partnership aims to eliminate conflicts between land titles and mineral titles, thereby promoting more effective land use and resource management.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the FCTA Department of Solid Minerals and Allied Matters to the NMCO on Wednesday, Director-General of the NMCO, Engr. Simon Nkom Obadiah, described the synergy as a crucial step toward unified administration of mining in the FCT.
He explained that the FCT’s various departments—including Inspectorate, Environmental and Compliance, and Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining—would work alongside the NMCO to ensure mining activities are properly regulated and confined to authorized areas.
“The FCT will now be able to maintain its sanctity and avoid the emergence of unauthorized mining sites,” Obadiah said. He added that the move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s seven-point agenda for reforming the mining sector and is supported by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake.
Obrike Chinyelu, Overseeing Director of the FCTA Department of Solid Minerals and Allied Matters, emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating that it would foster better coordination, reduce illegal mining, and promote transparency.
“We’re here to start meaningful work and ensure we gather accurate data on mining activities in the FCT. This includes enforcing compliance with community development agreements and resolving encroachment issues,” she said.
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Chinyelu noted that the department—established in November 2022—received operational approval on March 26, 2025, and is committed to promoting ease of doing business by streamlining licensing and regulation processes in collaboration with the NMCO.
She also revealed plans to align the FCT’s master plan with the NMCO’s mining map to preempt future disputes and enhance land-use planning.
