By Oyajimi Kehinde, Adeniyi Sakiru & Odunfa Najeem
In a strategic move to enhance industrial safety, regulatory compliance, and local content development, the Ogun State Coordinating Office of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) today hosted a delegation from the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) for a high-level courtesy visit.
The visit aimed at strengthening inter-agency collaboration on mining regulation, radiation safety, and sustainable utilization of Nigeria’s raw materials was focused on the presence of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) in mining operations and the importance of public awareness and monitoring to ensure worker safety and environmental protection.
Welcoming the delegation, Mr. Rabiu B.O., RMRDC State Coordinator, stated, “This engagement provides an invaluable opportunity to strengthen collaboration between federal agencies, promote safe mining practices, and ensure Nigeria maximizes the economic potential of its raw materials through innovation and value addition.”
During the meeting, the NNRA delegation, led by the Head of Ogun State Operational Office, Mr. Adewara T.I., provided technical insights into the risks associated with NORM in mining and mineral processing. He emphasized that exposure to radiation can occur through radon gas, radioactive dust, and prolonged inhalation, which can lead to serious health issues if not properly managed. He added, “Radiation exposure is invisible to human senses, but its impact is real. Joint collaboration with RMRDC is crucial to ensure miners, communities, and the environment are adequately protected.”
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The engagement also highlighted RMRDC’s ongoing industrial and value addition initiatives, including its collaboration with the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB). The Council has supported the establishment of a cashew processing plant and donated a Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) extraction machine, which converts cashew shell waste into high-value industrial oil used in fertilizers, paints, chemicals, and resin production. This initiative serves as a model for academia-industry partnership, waste utilization, and local content development.
A guided tour of the RMRDC Resource Centre showcased various locally available raw materials in Ogun State, including minerals, agro-based products, and industrial inputs. The NNRA delegation commended the Council for its structured documentation and promotion of these resources, noting that such initiatives are vital for research, industrial development, and investment promotion.
Both agencies agreed to intensify cooperation through: Joint sensitization programmes and workshops for miners and mineral processors on radiation safety and regulatory compliance., provide Periodic technical training and capacity-building initiatives for stakeholders in the mining sector, data and information exchange on mining activities and radiation monitoring within Ogun State and joint field inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards and industrial regulations.
The courtesy visit concluded on a highly positive note, with both RMRDC and NNRA reaffirming their commitment to sustained partnership, industrial innovation, and sustainable development of Nigeria’s raw materials sector.
