Na big news dey ground for Nigeria mining sector as we dey talk. The Nigeria Revenue Service, wey dem dey call NRS, don officially collect the work of collecting mineral royalties from mining operators across the country. This one na serious change wey go affect how mining companies dey pay government for the minerals dem dey carry from our soil.
How this one take happen? Na from meeting wey hold between the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, and the NRS chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji. Dem meet for Abuja inside the minister office to yarn about how dem go work together. After the meeting, dem release joint statement wey explain everything.
The reason for this change na because of new tax laws wey President Bola Tinubu sign on 26 June 2025. The law give NRS power to administer all federal revenue wey government suppose collect. So mineral royalties join the list. The change go start to work from 1 January 2026. Na Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser to the NRS chairman, give us this information.
Make we break am down small. Before now, na Ministry of Solid Minerals Development dey handle this royalty collection. But from next year, NRS go dey in charge. The ministry no go disappear sha. Dem go still remain as “vital technical partner.” Wetin that mean? Dem go provide important data like mineral prices, geological information, and dem go help coordinate the industry to support the royalty process. So both bodies go dey work hand-in-hand.
The joint statement wey both Alake and Adedeji sign explain say dem go work closely to make sure mining operators understand the new system. Dem talk say the new royalty framework go dey implemented in way wey go support growth and development for solid minerals sector. That one na good news if e truly happen like dat.
Another important thing wey dem mention na joint nationwide sensitisation programme. This one na like awareness campaign wey dem go carry go round the country to educate mining operators. The programme go teach dem how to file and pay royalties under the new tax laws. Dem encourage all operators to participate actively when the programme start.
Technology no go miss for this new arrangement. The statement talk about development of modern, end-to-end digital royalty administration system. That one mean say everything from calculation to payment go dey digital. E go reduce human error and make process more transparent. Dem also promise regular joint technical sessions to coordinate and resolve any issues wey fit come up.
Both Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and NRS use the statement assure mining operators and the public say dem fully aligned. Dem promise to implement the new royalty framework in orderly and transparent manner. Dem talk say dem wan support mining sector, no to kill am with too much wahala.
For now, mining operators get advice: continue to meet your filing and payment obligations as the new tax laws require. No wait till last minute. And make una prepare for the sensitisation programme wey go soon start. The government dey watch.
This change na part of larger move to streamline revenue collection for Nigeria. With NRS now handling mineral royalties, government believe say revenue go increase and accountability go better. But only time go tell how this new arrangement go work for ground. Mining operators dey watch with one eye open.
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