Korede Abdullah 
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Udeh
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government has issued a firm directive banning the export of Nigeria’s raw mineral resources, insisting that all extractive products must undergo at least 30 per cent local processing before leaving the country.
Speaking on Friday at a National Advocacy and Sensitisation Conference in Abuja, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Udeh confirmed that a new bill awaiting presidential assent to enforce the measure.
“No raw material will be exported in its raw form,” Udeh says, stressing that investors must comply with the pre-processing requirement or face stipulated penalties. He explains that the policy is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s industrial capacity, expand employment opportunities, and reduce dependence on imported processed materials.
“Nigerians can be global leaders by building the systems required to advance and sustain innovation,” he notes.
Director-General, Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, says the value-addition policy will reverse decades of economic losses resulting from exporting unprocessed minerals. He emphasises that the new law will compel investors to establish processing facilities within Nigeria, thereby deepening industrialisation and boosting productivity nationwide.
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Oluwafunbi Bello 
Oluwatobi Adu 
Koko Maxwella 
Hussaini Ibrahim