By Isa Mukhtar and Isyaka Rabiu
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Yobe State Coordinating Office, joined key industry players at the One-Day Yobe Mining Stakeholders’ Forum held recently at the Yobe State Government House, Damaturu. Organized by the Yobe Mining Development Company Limited (YMDCL), the forum tagged “Building Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Mining and Industrial Growth in Yobe State”, brought together top government officials, traditional leaders, investors, researchers, and development partners to explore the state’s expanding mineral economy.
Opening the event, the Director General of Media and Press Affairs praised the establishment of YMDCL as a testament to the state government’s commitment to economic diversification. He underscored the company’s mission to champion sustainable mining, attract credible investors, and position Yobe as a leading hub for mineral-based industrialization in Nigeria.
In his welcome remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, Tourism, and Solid Minerals, Hon. Kaigama Umar Yunusari, described the forum as a major step toward unlocking the value of Yobe’s mineral deposits. With more than 26 identified minerals, ranging from gypsum and limestone to kaolin and feldspar, he stressed the need for innovation and partnerships to stimulate industrial development.
YMDCL Managing Director, Engr. Bamodu Yerima, highlighted the state’s rich mineral base and reaffirmed the company’s vision to convert these resources into globally competitive, bankable projects. He emphasized transparency, investor collaboration, and adherence to best mining practices while urging stakeholders to build value chains that transform raw materials into finished products, generate employment, and safeguard the environment.
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Declaring the forum open, Governor Mai Mala Buni reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening YMDCL as the central engine for investment coordination and transparency in the mining sector. He described mining as a cornerstone of Yobe’s economic diversification agenda and pledged to provide supportive policies, infrastructure, and security to attract investors and convert mineral wealth into sustainable prosperity.
Representing the DG/CEO of RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, Deputy Director Ibrahim Musa Abba delivered a goodwill message commending the timeliness of the forum. He highlighted RMRDC’s achievements in gypsum beneficiation, mineral testing, talc powder production, and renewable energy research. He also referenced the Council’s April 2025 Trona Value Chain Investors’ Forum, assuring continued technical support to drive sustainable mineral development and job creation in Yobe.
A major milestone of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, overseen by the Governor, with key partners including the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, Geoscan Technology, Minpro and Energy, and Deep Strata Mining Company—cementing commitments to sustainable exploration and investment.
The technical session, chaired by the Emir of Fika, His Royal Highness Dr. Muhammad Abali Ibn Muhammad Idris, featured seven presentations addressing policy harmonization, mineral mapping, environmental safeguards, artisanal mining, and investor engagement. Stakeholders emphasized stronger alignment with federal regulations, improved environmental management, and greater community involvement. Recommendations focused on fostering research partnerships, enhancing regulatory enforcement, and boosting training for artisanal miners.
A communiqué summarizing the forum’s resolutions, centered on sustainable mining, research-driven decision-making, and collaborative industrial growth, was unanimously adopted. Closing the event, the YMDCL Managing Director thanked participants, reaffirming the need for sustained collaboration to implement the agreed strategies.
The forum ended on an optimistic note, with stakeholders united in their resolve to harness Yobe’s mineral resources for broad-based economic transformation.
