BILL SUMMARY

Federal Institute of Mining and Geoscience, Gusau, Zamfara State (Establishment) Bill, 2025 Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development — Federal Republic of Nigeria

What Is This Bill?

The Federal Institute of Mining and Geoscience, Gusau (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (HB.2362) is a legislative proposal before Nigeria's House of Representatives to formally establish a specialised Federal Institute of Mining and Geoscience in Gusau, Zamfara State. The bill seeks to create a dedicated institution for technical and professional training, applied research, and capacity development in mining engineering, mineral exploration, geoscience, and related extractive disciplines. Zamfara State — one of Nigeria's richest solid minerals zones, particularly in gold — currently lacks a federally established mining training institution, making this bill a strategic response to the region's vast but largely unregulated and undertrained mineral economy.

Who Does It Target?

Prospective students and trainees in mining engineering, geology, geoscience, mineral processing, and metallurgy Artisanal and small-scale miners (ASMs) in Zamfara State and the North-West geopolitical zone Federal and State Ministries of Solid Minerals Development and Education Investors and operators in Nigeria's solid minerals and extractive industries sector Host communities in Zamfara and surrounding mineral-rich states Regulatory agencies including COMEG, the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), and the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA)

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Establish a federal specialised institute to provide professional, technical, and vocational training in mining, geoscience, and extractive fields in Gusau, Zamfara State Develop a locally trained workforce capable of supporting the safe, legal, and sustainable exploitation of Nigeria's solid mineral resources Formalise and professionalise artisanal and small-scale mining in Zamfara by providing accessible training and certification pathways Conduct applied geoscience research to advance mineral mapping, exploration, and responsible resource development in the North-West region Reduce illegal and unsafe mining practices — a major source of banditry, environmental degradation, and lead poisoning in Zamfara State Complement the existing Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences (NIMG), Jos, by decentralising training capacity to underserved regions

Key Features

Institutional Establishment: Creates a new Federal Institute with a governing council, management structure, and defined mandate for teaching, training, and research in mining and geosciences Academic & Technical Programmes: Authorises award of diplomas, certificates, and professional qualifications in mining engineering, geology, geoscience, metallurgy, and mineral processing Research Mandate: Empowers the Institute to conduct applied research and provide technical advisory services to government and the private sector on mineral exploration and development Location & Catchment: Sited in Gusau, Zamfara State — the capital of one of Nigeria's most mineral-rich but conflict-affected states — with a mandate to serve the North-West region Federal Funding: Institute to be funded through the Federal Government annual appropriation, grants, research revenues, and training fees Collaboration Framework: Provides for collaboration with NIMG Jos, universities, COMEG, the Mining Cadastre Office, and international geoscience bodies

Current Status

Legislative Stage: First Reading — passed in the House of Representatives during the 10th National Assembly session of June 24–26, 2025; awaiting Second Reading and committee referral Sponsors: Sponsored by Hon. Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi and Hon. Kabiru Ahmadu — both with constituencies in Nigeria's solid minerals belt Companion Bills: Part of a series of four Federal Institute of Mining and Geoscience Establishment Bills (HB.2361–2364) covering Takum (Taraba), Gusau (Zamfara), Akamkpa (Cross River), and Ikoro (Ekiti), introduced by the same lead sponsor Zamfara Mining Context: Zamfara State holds significant gold and other mineral deposits; illegal artisanal mining is linked to banditry and environmental crises involving thousands of unlicensed operators Existing Framework: NIMG Jos remains Nigeria's sole federal mining training institute; the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Bill 2025 (HB.2276) was also tabled in the same legislative session, signalling active parliamentary focus on the sector

How to Access

Track the Bill: Monitor bill progress via the NALTF Bill Tracker at billtracker.naltf.gov.ng using bill reference HB.2362 Engage Sponsors: Contact Hon. Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi or Hon. Kabiru Ahmadu through the House of Representatives Constituency Liaison Offices Committee Engagement: Following Second Reading, the bill will be referred to the House Committee on Solid Minerals — stakeholders may submit memoranda during public hearings Ministry of Solid Minerals: Engage the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development for policy alignment: solidminerals.gov.ng Existing NIMG Jos: Enquiries on currently available mining training programmes: nimg.edu.ng

Important Terms

Establishment Bill: A bill to legally create a new government institution, defining its mandate, governance, funding, and powers First Reading: The formal introduction of a bill to the legislature; no debate occurs at this stage — the bill is recorded and printed for further deliberation COMEG: Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists — the statutory body that registers and regulates mining engineering and geoscience professionals in Nigeria NIMG: Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Jos — the existing federal specialised institute for mining training and research, under the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development ASM: Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining — informal, small-scale mineral extraction often conducted without licences, training, or safety equipment; a major policy concern in Zamfara State

Impact & Metrics

Zamfara State has significant gold and other mineral deposits; illegal artisanal mining involving large numbers of unlicensed operators is a major driver of insecurity and environmental damage in the state Nigeria's solid minerals sector contributes well below its potential to national GDP — expanding training infrastructure is widely cited as critical to unlocking sector growth NIMG Jos currently serves the entire country from a single location; decentralising via regional federal institutes would dramatically expand access to certified mining education Zamfara's 2010 lead poisoning crisis — caused by unregulated gold ore processing — killed hundreds of children and highlighted the deadly human cost of untrained mining practices If enacted, the Institute would form part of a national network of four new regional mining institutes alongside NIMG Jos, fundamentally reshaping Nigeria's solid minerals training infrastructure

Official Resources

Bill Tracker: billtracker.naltf.gov.ng | Bill Reference: HB.2362 Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development: solidminerals.gov.ng Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences (NIMG), Jos: nimg.edu.ng House of Representatives Nigeria: nass.gov.ng COMEG: comeg.gov.ng | NALTF: naltf.gov.ng Summary prepared using the Policy/Bill Summary Template | Source: NALTF House of Representatives Bills (June 24–26, 2025), NIMG, COMEG, Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, The Habibat Project | March 2026

Legal Framework

The Federal Institute of Mining and Geoscience, Gusau (Establishment) Bill, when enacted, would operate under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007, the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development mandate, and the National Board for Technical Education Act (for diploma programmes). It aligns with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act 2011, the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, and the African Mining Vision's requirements for technical capacity in the mining sector.