Nigeria set to ban import of locally available raw materials in major push for self-sufficiency

The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) of Nigeria is advancing legislation to limit the importation of raw materials that can be sourced domestically. In collaboration with Nigerian lawmakers, RMRDC has introduced a bill in the National Assembly, currently in its first reading, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s industrial self-reliance and bolstering foreign exchange reserves.

Speaking at an interactive session with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Lagos, RMRDC’s Director-General, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, explained that the proposed legislation would require a minimum of 30% value addition on all raw materials before they can be exported. This policy, he noted, would support Nigeria’s industrial growth by encouraging domestic processing, creating jobs, and fostering technological advancement.

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“The proposed policy will not only conserve our natural resources but will also drive industrial processing capabilities across the country, establishing Nigeria as a leader in resource management and industrial growth,” Ike-Muonso remarked. He added that the council’s Multi-disciplinary Task Force (MTF) conducted a comprehensive survey across MAN’s 10 sectoral groups to develop strategies for value addition, highlighting areas where technological support and capacity-building are needed.

The collaboration aims to make Nigeria’s manufacturing sector more competitive globally by promoting locally made goods and boosting productivity. MAN’s Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, underscored the session’s importance, calling it an “unprecedented initiative” that strengthens the ties between MAN and RMRDC in advancing Nigeria’s industrial self-reliance.