The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), has launched the second generation of its national database, aimed at transforming Nigeria’s mining and raw materials management landscape.

The Council said the platform would also assist authorities responsible for issuing mining licences and combating illegal mining activities across the country.

Director-General of RMRDC, Nnanyelugo Martin Ike-Muonso, disclosed this in Abuja, during a media hub, describing the upgraded platform as one of the most robust databases in the country for guiding policy decisions, manufacturing growth, and investment planning.

He said that the upgraded database is a major improvement on the first-generation system known as the Raw Materials Management Information System, which was created through a nationwide survey that documented raw materials deposits, investment conditions, security situations, and other relevant data.

He explained that the earlier system had limitations, including weak alignment with the Harmonized System (HS) Code, lack of dynamism, and inability to integrate with external databases.

He added that once testing systems are deployed nationwide, they will feed real-time data into the platform on raw materials quality, conditions, availability, and changing characteristics across different locations.

He said: “On illicit financial flows, this database will be highly useful. It supports the presidential directive that raw materials should not be exported unless at least 30% value has been added locally. Once that happens, traceability improves.

“It becomes easier to identify where materials are coming from, easier to enforce local processing laws and easier for tax authorities to monitor activity. This will reduce incentives for illicit financial flows.

“It will support the 30% value-addition-before-export policy. Once processing becomes mandatory, illegal money flows become harder to conceal because traceability requirements will force disclosure.

“The Ministry of Solid Minerals already has an executive order requiring some level of processing before mines resources are exported, so they are already ahead in that regard. This database will complement those efforts significantly. It will also reveal the locations of some mineral resources.

“As more research is conducted and minerals are characterized, the information will be added to the platform. This platform will help businesses, governments, manufacturers, and investors make informed decisions on pricing, location, and resource utilization.”

Ike-Muonso said the database currently integrates information from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Geological Survey, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASDA), Nigeria Customs Service, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and about 16 internal RMRDC databases.

Speaking on mining materials, the RMRDC boss said the platform would reveal the locations of mineral deposits and support the characterization of newly discovered minerals as more research is conducted.

According to him, the database will also complement the Federal Government’s policy requiring some level of local processing before raw materials and mined resources are exported.

He said the platform already provides reliable information on known mineral resources, confirmed deposits, agricultural produce, industrial waste, and recyclable materials.

He disclosed that by next year, the Council expects to move into the third generation of the database, which would deliver more accurate valuations and deeper insights into Nigeria’s natural resource wealth.

He stressed that access to credible information remains critical to attracting both local and foreign investors, adding that, “Investment cannot happen without information. One of the worst mistakes anyone can make is investing blindly.”

In her remarks, Director of Corporate Affairs at RMRDC, Chinyete Nani-Anum, said the media hub was convened to strengthen collaboration between the Council and journalists in promoting awareness of its activities and national industrialisation goals.

She added that under the leadership of Prof. Ike-Muonso, the Council has introduced the Raw Materials 360 online newspaper and RMRDC online radio to expand public communication and stakeholder engagement.

She called on the media to continue supporting efforts aimed at promoting self-reliance, industrial growth, and economic diversification in Nigeria.

She said: “The task of national development is a collective one. The RMRDC cannot do it alone, just as the media cannot operate in isolation. Together, we can amplify the message of self-reliance, industrial growth, and economic diversification for the benefit of all Nigerians.”