*Photo R-L: Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack*
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has commended the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) on the launch of the OneGov Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS).
She gave the commendation on Friday, during a visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Dele Alake, while also seeking support for its adoption across other Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDAs.)
Nigeria’s solid minerals sector recorded a major leap on Friday,12th, December, 2025, when Alake, officially launched the OneGov ECMS) at the MCO.
At the event attended by top government officials, including Engineer Obadiah Simon Nkom, Director General of MCO, the Minister declared that digital reforms are now powering “unprecedented revenue, transparency and operational efficiency” across the sector.
The launch marked the MCO as the first agency under the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to fully deploy the OneGov ECMS an intelligent, sovereign platform designed to eliminate paperwork, strengthen document security, streamline workflows and enhance service delivery nationwide.
Alake described the launch as “a monumental step that reflects the new colours of success, progress and efficiency in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.”
He said the achievement underscores the decisive shift his administration has driven since 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.
The Minister revealed 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 added that sector-wide revenue jumped from ₦28 billion in 2024 to over ₦50 billion in 2025, a growth he attributed to transparency-driven reforms and stronger oversight.
Giving a personal account of the digital transition, Dr. Alake said: “My office used to be filled with mountains of files. A visitor and I could barely see each other across the table. Today, with digitisation, I work from anywhere in the world with my iPad and iPhone. No files. No delays.”
He praised the MCO for eliminating bottlenecks and accelerating service delivery, adding that the transformation had restored investor confidence.
The Minister, however,
cautioned that technology must go hand-in-hand with a new work ethic: “If our mental development does not match physical development, there will be chaos. We need a national mental reorientation. Without the right attitude, we will damage the tools and defeat the purpose.”
He commended the MCO leadership for combining innovation with discipline, courage and strong administrative structure.
He also applauded Galaxy Backbone for powering the OneGov system but urged the agency to ensure uninterrupted internet connectivity to prevent workflow disruptions.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. 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.
MCO Director General, Engr. Obadiah Simon Nkom, described the go-live as a historic moment for government efficiency nationwide.
“This milestone is not just for the Ministry or the mining sector. It is a milestone for the entire country,” he said.
Nkom revealed 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 digitisation.
He added that the MCO’s digital achievements had earned it national recognition, including the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) Award for Best Digital and Innovation Agency.
