Abuja, Nigeria
The Commandant General of the National Unity and Peace Corps (NUPC), Chinedu Nneji, has stepped forward to claim ownership of the recently passed Nigeria Mine Rangers Service (NMRS) Bill, a day after the Senate in Abuja approved the legislation.
Mr. Nneji said the bill, which seeks to establish a specialised security and enforcement agency to combat illegal mining, was conceived by his organisation. The claim comes as the bill now moves to the House of Representatives for concurrence before being sent to the President for assent.
NUPC Claims Authorship of NMRS Bill
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, 22 October 2025, Mr. Nneji stated that the bill was “wholly and entirely owned” by the National Unity and Peace Corps (NUPC). He noted that the need to secure the nation’s solid mineral sector—which he described as a crucial economic driver—was the “foundation” of his thought to champion the bill.
“Until now or today, members of the public did not know who actually owns the bill,” Mr. Nneji stated. He thanked the Senate leadership for the swift passage of the bill, which he said went through “due diligence in National Assembly.”
The Senate passed the bill, designated SB 253, on Tuesday, 21 October 2025, following its third reading. The proposed NMRS is intended to fill a “lacuna” in securing mining sites, which Mr. Nneji claims has allowed “illegal mining and mining activities to be flourishing with Federal Government loosing lots of revenue and creating an enabling environment for Banditry to flourish.”
Eyes Turn to the House and Presidency
Following the Senate’s approval, Mr. Nneji expressed optimism about the next stages of the legislative process, which require the House of Representatives to pass the same version of the bill.
“We are optimistic that the Lower Chamber will cooperate with the Upper Chamber by fast – tracking the process,” he said.
Should the House pass the bill, it will then be transmitted to the Presidency for Presidential assent. Dr. Nneji made a direct appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to sign the bill into law, citing its potential “socio-economic impact.”
Key Expected Impacts of the NMRS, according to Nneji:
Increase Internally Generated Revenue for the Federal Government.
Plug losses from illegal mining.
Create employment for both skilled and unskilled Nigerians.
Drastically reduce accidents and minimise negative environmental impact in the mining sector.
The Commandant General also mentioned that the trained personnel of his organisation, which he referred to as the former National Unity and Peace Corps, will soon commence further training in anticipation of the new service.
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