Nigeria’s Raw Materials Council, NSCDC Collaborate to Tackle Illegal Mining

In a strategic move to fortify Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals have formalized a partnership aimed at combating illegal mining and unlocking the true value of the nation’s mineral resources. The alliance, forged during a courtesy visit by the NSCDC delegation to the RMRDC headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, is a significant step toward bridging the gap between scientific research and on-ground security enforcement in a sector plagued by illicit activities.

The collaboration is a direct response to the multifaceted challenges posed by illegal mining, which has evolved from a local issue into a large-scale criminal enterprise. According to Dependable NG, Nigeria loses an estimated billions of dollars annually to illegal mining and the smuggling of raw minerals. Beyond the colossal financial losses, this illegal trade fuels insecurity, environmental degradation, and compromises the health and safety of local communities. The NSCDC Mining Marshals, a specialized unit established to combat this menace, have recognized that a purely security-focused approach is insufficient. As explained by the commander of the unit, ACC Attah John Onoja, the mission of the Mining Marshals extends beyond providing security; it is about ensuring that Nigeria’s mineral wealth is extracted in compliance with national laws and contributes meaningfully to economic growth.

To be effective in this fight, a synergy between security and science is essential. The RMRDC, a government agency under the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, serves as Nigeria’s focal point for promoting the development and utilization of the nation’s vast industrial raw materials. Its mandate includes conducting research, providing technical data on mineral deposits, and formulating policies that encourage local content and value addition. Director-General of the RMRDC, Professor Nnanyelugo Ike-Muanso, lauded the commitment of the Mining Marshals, assuring them that the Council is fully prepared to make its resources available to support their operations. This assistance will take the form of data sharing, joint training programs, laboratory analysis of recovered minerals for evidence, and technical support in the field. This partnership will help to align the Council’s scientific efforts with the realities faced by security personnel on the ground.

A key aspect of the collaboration will be the provision of security for RMRDC’s technical experts and researchers. Commander Onoja, while delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to providing security for mineral mapping exercises, particularly in high-risk terrains where researchers are most vulnerable. This mutual support is designed to create a more secure environment for formal research and exploration, thereby attracting legitimate investors and helping the country move away from its over-reliance on a few key resources. By combining the RMRDC’s vast repository of geological and technical data with the NSCDC’s disciplined enforcement capabilities, the alliance aims to create a more robust and effective framework for regulating and policing the mining sector. The collaboration is seen as a crucial step towards building a regulated, data-driven mining sector that can fulfill its potential as a key pillar of Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.