The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) will assume responsibility for collecting mineral royalties from mining operators nationwide starting January 1, 2026, following new tax legislation. The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development will retain its technical and regulatory role, ensuring industry oversight and coordination.
Transition Backed by New Tax Laws
The decision was reached after a meeting between the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, and NRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji in Abuja on April 2, 2026. Both parties agreed on a collaborative framework to implement the changes in line with the Nigeria Tax Laws 2025.
According to a joint statement released Friday and signed by both officials, the transition follows the enactment of the tax laws by President Bola Tinubu on June 26, 2025. The legislation authorizes the NRS to administer and account for all federally collectible revenues, including mineral royalties.
Ministry Retains Technical Oversight
Despite the shift in revenue collection, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development will continue to play a central technical role. This includes providing mineral pricing data, geological insights, and broader industry coordination to support the royalty administration process.
Officials emphasized that the collaboration is designed to ensure continuity and efficiency in the sector while strengthening compliance under the new framework.
Nationwide Sensitisation for Mining Operators
To facilitate a smooth transition, both agencies plan to launch a nationwide sensitisation campaign targeting mining operators. The programme will focus on educating stakeholders about updated procedures for royalty filing and payments under the revised tax regime.
Authorities also disclosed plans to introduce a fully digital, end-to-end royalty administration system aimed at improving transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
Commitment to Transparency and Sector Growth
The statement underscored a shared commitment by both institutions to implement the new royalty framework in a transparent and orderly manner that supports the growth of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
Regular joint technical sessions will also be held to address operational challenges and ensure seamless coordination between the agencies.
Mining operators have been urged to comply with their obligations under the new tax laws and actively participate in upcoming sensitisation initiatives.
