Alake Unveils OneGov System, Says Digital Reform Boosting Solid Minerals Revenue
Folalumi Alaran in Abuja
Nigeria’s solid minerals sector recorded another major milestone on Friday as the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, officially launched the OneGov Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) at the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), declaring that digital reforms are now driving “unprecedented revenue, transparency, and operational efficiency” across the industry.
The event, attended by top government officials, marked the MCO as the first agency under the Ministry to fully deploy the OneGov ECMS — an intelligent, sovereign digital platform designed to eliminate paperwork, strengthen document security, streamline workflows, and enhance nationwide service delivery.
Describing the initiative as “a monumental step that reflects the new colours of success, progress, and efficiency in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector,” Dr. Alake said the feat underscores the decisive shift in governance and accountability since he assumed 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.
According to the Minister, government revenue from the sector has surged 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 revealed.
Alake disclosed that total revenue across the solid minerals value chain rose from ₦28 billion in 2024 to over ₦50 billion in 2025, attributing the leap to transparency-driven reforms and stronger oversight mechanisms.
Reflecting on the impact of digitalisation, he shared a personal anecdote:
“My office used to be filled with mountains of files. A visitor and I could barely see each other across the table. Today, I work from anywhere in the world with my iPad and iPhone. No files. No delays.”
The Minister praised the MCO for removing bureaucratic bottlenecks and boosting investor confidence but cautioned that technology must be matched by ethical and mental discipline.
“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 warned.
He commended the MCO leadership for combining innovation with discipline and lauded Galaxy Backbone Limited for powering the OneGov platform, urging the agency to guarantee uninterrupted internet connectivity to sustain efficiency.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo, praised 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 a model for others to follow,” Yabo said, adding that the OneGov platform is “not merely an automation tool but a secure digital backbone capable of transforming governance.”
MCO Director-General, Engr. Obadiah Simon Nkom, described the system launch as “a landmark moment for government efficiency and service delivery nationwide.”
He revealed that the agency’s revenue had grown from ₦6.17 billion in 2023 to ₦12 billion in 2024, and has already surpassed ₦30 billion in 2025, crediting the success to ministerial reforms and compliance-driven digitisation.
He noted that the MCO’s transformation had earned it national recognition, including the NiRA Award for Best Digital and Innovation Agency.
Representing Galaxy Backbone, Gana Nsuba commended the MCO for “raising the bar and fully aligning with the Federal Government’s OneGov Cloud agenda.”
“The MCO is demonstrating what is possible through leadership, collaboration, and digital courage,” he said, pledging continued technical support and user training to ensure optimal system
