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From Adetutu Folasade-Koyi, Abuja
The Federal Government is set to implement a 30 per cent value-addition on the country’s mineral resources and raw materials, consequent on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assent to the legislation passed by the National Assembly. The 30 per cent Value-Addition Bill was passed by the National Assembly in July 2025.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh and Director General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso disclosed this at a stakeholders press conference in Abuja, yesterday, where they disclosed that the new law requires a minimum of 30 per cent value-addition on processed raw materials and mineral resources before they can be exported.
The new law also seeks to restrict the importation of raw materials that are readily available in Nigeria.
Speaking at the press conference, the minister noted that at the public hearing of the bill in the National Assembly earlier in the year, “stakeholders gave 99.9 per cent support and this is to let them know that the legislation has moved and there are lots of things that would be done. Once it’s signed into law, we want to take off immediately.
“The bill recognises a six-month transition but we want to deepen advocacy now because the law is good for Nigerians, and it is also good for foreign investors because, with this bill, they would have more market. Our population is over 200 million and there’s no investor that won’t want to take that opportunity. The engagements would be multi-sectoral. The bill will not be a constraint for us, rather, it would be a protective shield.”
He also added that before raw materials are taken out of Nigeria, “30 per cent value would be added and it would strengthen and help local content.” Asked why the government is considering the 30 percent added value at this time, the minister replied: “The new law would halt capital flight and add value and also, add value to the market value of our raw materials…”
He emphasised that the new law “is not intended to scare away investors. Rather, it would attract them. The National Assembly has passed the Bill, which is before the president for assent. It’s an incentive to investors and also, it gives confidence to investors that we now have a law that increases the market for them by adding 30 percent value to the entire value-chain. “Whatever is going out of Nigeria would now have value,” he noted.
In his welcome address, the RMRDC DG urged stakeholders to note that “this Bill focuses on strengthening local capacity as a declaration of Nigeria’s independence…”
Prof. Ike-Muonso also added that while the RMRDC maintains the most comprehensive database on sources and processing of technologies for Nigeria’s raw materials, the new law would facilitate collaboration between research institutes and the private sector, “to develop cost -effective, local technologies needed to achieve the required 30 per cent processing benchmark.”
At the event, stakeholders, including the Diplomatic Corps, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria as well as the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) welcomed the new law.
On his part, MAN President, Francis Meshioye said his association is “glad we are taking steps towards the ban and the 30 per cent will anchor productive capacity rather than dependence. It is good for the environment and adds value,” while NEXIM representative, Dr. Babagana Musti affirmed support for the new law and its the implementation
The Bill was sponsored by Senator Peter Nwaebonyi from Ebonyi State.
