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ECOWAS Unity Will Drive Mining Investment Growth-MCO Director General

Published

5 months ago

May 16, 2025

Joel Ajayi

The Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) has emphasized that enhanced synergy within the ECOWAS region will significantly boost investment opportunities in the mining sector.

The Director-General of the MCO, Mr. Obadiah Nkom, made this known during a high-level visit by an ECOWAS delegation to the organisation on Friday in Abuja.

The delegation, led by Mr. William Baidoe-Ansah, Director of the ECOWAS Directorate of Mining and Geo-Extractives Development, comprised technical experts and national representatives. They were in Nigeria to finalise frameworks for a regional Geo-Extractive Observatory and Mining Cadastral System.

Nkom expressed optimism that regional collaboration would enable access to harmonised and verifiable data through Geographic Information System (GIS) platforms.

“The essence of the member states coming together is to ensure they have a platform that makes it easier for investors to come into the ECOWAS region and invest,” he said.

He described the visit as a welcome development, underscoring its significance in fostering regional growth and creating a more investor-friendly environment.

According to him, reforms in Nigeria’s mining sector — especially the transition to the Electronic Mining Cadastre Plus (EMC+) system in 2022 — reflect the country’s commitment to repositioning the sector and strengthening investor confidence.

Nkom noted that ongoing efforts to sanitise the mining industry, as championed by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, have already yielded tangible results.

Mr. Baidoe-Ansah stated that the mission was aimed at assessing Nigeria’s progress as a benchmark for the regional cadastral system integration.

He noted that the initial feasibility study confirmed the viability of establishing a regional geo-extractive observatory.

“We have moved beyond theory. The first feasibility report confirmed the possibility of a regional geo-extractive observatory. This second phase is about ensuring that each member state meets the baseline operational standards before full integration,” he explained.

He further commended Nigeria’s EMC+ system, which he described as transparent, accessible, and a model worthy of emulation across the region.
Also speaking, Mr. Madu Hassan Fika, Chief Geologist at Nigeria’s Ministry of Petroleum, lauded the EMC+ as a model of digital excellence and transparency in West Africa’s extractive sector.

He said the proposed regional observatory and cadastral system would provide a one-stop shop for the entire region’s mining data and licensing framework.

Other delegates stressed the importance of harmonising operational standards across ECOWAS member states to enhance regional performance and boost investor confidence. They also praised Nigeria’s strides in digitising its mining sector operations.

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Ogunlesi backs Tinubu reforms as FIRS chairman Adedeji highlights export-led economy

Published

15 hours ago

October 6, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

After a high-level meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, Nigerian-born global investor Adebayo Ogunlesi expressed renewed confidence in the country’s economic reforms, indicating potential mega investments across energy, aviation, and port sectors.

He was joined in that optimism by Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), who stressed that the reforms were laying the groundwork for an export-driven economy.

Speaking to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Ogunlesi praised the sweeping policy changes under Tinubu’s administration, including the removal of subsidies, tax reforms, and the revival of a refinery already exporting aviation fuel.

“We had an excellent meeting where we discussed how to put Nigeria front and center for international investment. The President was very encouraging, and we shared useful suggestions on driving economic growth,” Ogunlesi said.
Although he declined to reveal specific details, Ogunlesi confirmed that his firm is actively investing in Nigeria and assessing new opportunities.

“Watch this space. Nigeria is not yet the most exciting investment destination, but that’s what we are working on,” he teased.

Pressed on the sectors of interest, Ogunlesi highlighted energy, gas, aviation, ports, and renewables. Drawing on his firm’s experience with LNG projects in Texas and Australia, he noted Nigeria’s massive untapped gas reserves.

On aviation, he acknowledged his reputation as “the guy who bought Gatwick Airport” and signaled interest in similar ventures locally.
He also admitted that one of his companies operates ports in Cotonou and Lomé but none in Nigeria, a point Tinubu reportedly challenged him on.

“He forgave me but said, ‘you have to bring port investment to Nigeria,’” Ogunlesi recounted with a smile.

International investor Hakeem Bello-Osagie, who was also present, underscored the importance of diaspora participation in Nigeria’s growth story.
“When Nigerians at home and abroad invest in Nigeria, it sends a strong signal to the world,” he said, lauding Tinubu’s policies for making the country “investable.”

Echoing the sentiment, FIRS chairman Adedeji described the reforms as the foundation for an export-led economy.

“We’ve done the fundamentals, and now it is time to deliver growth,” he said.

With global players signaling confidence, the momentum for Nigeria’s economic repositioning is gaining ground, setting the stage for transformative investments in key industries.

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