By Adaora Adibe
In a landmark legislative development, the Nigerian Senate has passed the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) Act Amendment Bill 2025, marking a significant milestone in the country’s industrial and economic transformation agenda.
The bill, which seeks to amend the Raw Materials Research and Development Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2022, was presented for third reading and formally passed after the Senate adopted the report of the Committee on Science and Technology.
The amended legislation mandates that no raw materials shall be exported from Nigeria without undergoing at least 30% value addition. This strategic move is expected to safeguard local jobs, protect Nigeria’s processing and manufacturing industries, and reduce the country’s dependence on imported raw materials.
Speaking after the bill’s passage, the Senate President Godwill Akpabio commended the Committee on Science and Technology for their thorough work, describing the bill as a “step in the right direction toward Nigeria’s industrialization.”
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“I am particularly excited because this amendment ensures that raw materials will no longer be exported in their raw form. At least 30% of value must be added locally. This will protect our industries from unfair competition, stimulate economic development, reduce reliance on imports, and create job opportunities in domestic industries,” he stated.
The Senate President added that the bill promotes sustainable resource management and environmental protection through the adoption of best practices in the use of locally sourced materials. He emphasized that the amendment would encourage international companies to establish local processing facilities in Nigeria, reducing the nation’s carbon footprint while improving production efficiency and product quality.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology, Senator Aminu Iya Abbas, , moved the motion for the Senate to consider the bill. He recalled that the bill had been referred to the committee after the second reading on December 10, 2024.
According to Senator Abbas, the Committee engaged with stakeholders through public hearings and consultations, and found overwhelming support for the bill. He noted that stakeholders believed the legislation would help eliminate the frequent rejection of Nigerian exports due to substandard processing and poor value addition.
“This bill will address the embarrassment Nigeria faces when our raw exports are rejected in the global market. It aligns with the government’s transformation drive, supports local industries, boosts employment, and promotes sustainable economic growth,” Senator Abbas added.
The passage of the RMRDC Amendment Bill 2025 signals a new era for Nigeria’s raw materials sector, paving the way for industrial growth, technology adoption, and economic self-reliance in line with national development priorities.
