Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has unveiled a transformative digital platform designed to provide real-time data on Nigeria’s vast resource base, a move the federal government believes will revolutionise industrial planning, attract both local and foreign investment, and curb illicit financial flows in the extractive sector. The platform, formally named the Nigerian Statistical Information System for Raw Materials and Products (NISSRAMP), was launched in Abuja on Tuesday by RMRDC Director-General, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, who described the upgrade as a critical leap from static record-keeping to a dynamic, intelligent tool for national development. Addressing a media parley at the council’s headquarters, Ike-Muonso explained that the system represents the second generation of the council’s raw materials database, replacing the older Raw Materials Management Information System, which was plagued by poor integration, a lack of real-time updates, and weak alignment with global Harmonized System (HS) codes. The new platform, he noted, is arguably one of the best databases in Nigeria for informed decision-making on policies, investments, and manufacturing.
For decades, investors and policymakers have grappled with fragmented and unreliable information on the location, quality, and availability of Nigeria’s raw materials. This information gap has stifled industrial growth, discouraged investment, and perpetuated the country’s over-reliance on raw exports. The Director-General emphasised that the NISSRAMP platform is designed to bridge these gaps by offering real-time insights into resource profiling, production capacity, and geographic distribution. He stressed that access to credible data is a fundamental prerequisite for investment. “You cannot invest without information. The worst thing you can do is to begin to do no good investment. Part of why investors don’t come into this country as much as we expect them to is because there’s no data. You can’t invest blindly; this provides data to enable that kind of investment,” Ike-Muonso said. He noted that the platform would therefore enhance foreign direct investment, foreign private investment, and overall investment confidence in the country.
A key feature of the new database is its integration with major national and international data institutions. According to the RMRDC boss, the platform already pulls information from the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, the National Space Research and Development Agency, the Nigeria Customs Service, the National Bureau of Statistics, and over 16 internal databases within the council. This integration creates a holistic, interoperable view of the raw materials ecosystem, moving away from old, static methods. Dr. Cypril Chinweyi, Deputy Director of Statistics and Data Analysis at RMRDC, highlighted that the system ensures data is always current and compliant with global standards. He noted that the platform’s capabilities extend to tracking import-export flows, mineral deposits, value chains, and fast-growing exports, providing a unified system for policy formulation and trade analysis.
The launch of the database is strategically aligned with the Federal Government’s policy push for local value addition. A central objective of the platform is to enforce the requirement that raw materials be processed locally before export, with a minimum value addition threshold of 30 per cent. Ike-Muonso stated that the platform would give teeth to this policy by making it easier to trace raw materials and enforce local processing, thereby reducing incentives for illicit financial flows. “Once you enforce value addition and improve traceability, it becomes easier to monitor activities, reduce illegal practices and increase government revenue,” he explained. The database is also expected to be a powerful tool in the fight against illegal mining. By disclosing the locations of various minerals, the platform will enable authorities responsible for licensing to monitor activities effectively and crack down on illicit operations.
Beyond government use, the NISSRAMP platform is designed to be accessible to a broad audience, including researchers, small businesses, and entrepreneurs. Dr. Chinweyi stated that the platform is open to the public and provides vital statistical information that will help in pricing decisions, research, and general business planning. “It is accessible, easy to use and promises to foster inclusive industrial growth,” he said. The consultant who designed the platform, Abidemi Adesina, revealed that the system was built on advanced data analytics and incorporates Artificial Intelligence to ensure features such as privacy, trust, and forward-looking capabilities are embedded. He noted that by turning information into actionable insight, the RMRDC has laid a solid foundation for a more transparent, efficient, and prosperous future. The media engagement, themed “Media Hug,” brought together journalists from major print and broadcast organizations, underscoring the council’s commitment to public communication and collaboration.
The Director of Corporate Affairs at RMRDC, Mrs. Chinyere Nnamdi-Anum, described the launch as a strategic repositioning of the council aimed at advancing Nigeria’s industrial development through the optimal utilisation of local raw materials. She called for deeper partnerships with journalists to amplify awareness of the council’s initiatives, stressing that effective communication is vital to achieving economic diversification and self-reliance. The unveiling of NISSRAMP marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to move away from a resource-extraction economy towards one built on processing, manufacturing, and industrialisation. For decades, the country has exported vast quantities of unprocessed raw materials, surrendering much of the associated economic value to foreign processors. The RMRDC’s new database provides the informational foundation that Nigeria has long lacked to reverse that trend. As the country intensifies its push for industrialisation, the platform stands as a testament to the growing recognition that data, much like crude oil, is a critical resource for economic transformation.
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