By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – THE Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Friday, commended the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office, MCO, for championing digital excellence and transparency in the solid minerals sector.

The commendation was made by the ECOWAS Commission delegation led by William Baidoe, to the Director General, MCO, Engr Obadiah Nkom, at the headquarters of MCO in Abuja.

The ECOWAS Commission were in Abuja to conclude on basic frameworks for a regional Geo-Extractive Observatory and Mining Cadastral System, which they acknowledged and hailed the innovation and pragmatic initiatives by the MCO under the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, including the Electronic Mining Cadastre Plus (EMC+) system, which was launched in November 2022 as a game-changer.

The visit is a second feasibility report on the proposed regional platform, which will consolidate mining and extractive data across member states. Nigeria’s digital platform is expected to serve as a foundational model, which is a move to regional integration in the mining sector, with Nigeria playing a central leadership role in shaping a harmonised, transparent, and investor-ready West African extractive industry.

The EMC+ is a real-time, online management and regulation of mining activities, which makes it easy for investors and potential investors to seamlessly access mineral title applications, approvals, and renewals by the MCO.

Meanwhile , the DG, MCO said that the synergy between the Agency and the ECOWAS will bring about growth and development of the mining sector across the ECOWAS community including Africa.

According to him, the road to digitization was long but now the Agency has upgraded and transited from paper-based maps to a fully web-based cadastre, therefore, had positioned Nigeria as a leader in Africa as far as mining is concerned.

However, he maintained that MCO is not focused on revenue generation alone but attract serious investors who will as well lead to development of the country,

He said: “This is a milestone for ECOWAS national experts coming in to Abuja for geo-extrative , observatory and cadastral system

“The essence of this visit to Nigeria to visit a working cadastral. Nigeria is among the few member nations that have ready moved its webpage system to digital system.

“The collaboration with ECOWAS commission will create the necessary platforms to promote needed growth and development of the region.

“It will also ensure that the national, states are able to emulate and have a platform that will be easier for investors coming to invest in the region.

“The visit was not just an honour for the agency, but for Nigeria’s mining sector and the entire nation.”

Meanwhile, the leader of the ECOWAS delegation, William Badieo, explained the essence of their visit, which was basically to assess Nigeria’s progress as a benchmark for the proposed regional system.

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

“Nigeria is far ahead. Today, we witnessed a practical demonstration of a fully functional, transparent, and accessible system. It is not only operational it’s exemplary

“My impression was marvellous. I never expected to see such a highly advanced digital platform. This visit changed my perception of how far Nigeria has come in using technology for mining governance”, Badieo said.

Head of the Mining Cadastre Office of Sierra Leone and ECOWAS delegate, Eugene Norman, in a remark said, “Other member states are using different systems, but as West Africans, we are working toward a harmonised geo-observatory and mining cadastral system.

“It is important that we learn from Nigeria’s experience what works, what doesn’t so we can guide our countries accordingly. Peer-to-peer learning is crucial.

“This visit will help elevate all member states to a common standard, amplify our collective success, and boost investor confidence across the region.”