The Nigerian Senate has approved the establishment of the Bitumen Development Commission, a move aimed at harnessing the country’s vast bitumen resources to stimulate economic growth and infrastructure development.

The bill, passed during plenary on Tuesday, mandates the commission to regulate, promote, and coordinate all activities related to the exploration, production, and utilization of bitumen in Nigeria.

Senator Amina Bello, who sponsored the bill, highlighted the strategic importance of bitumen as a critical raw material for the construction and road infrastructure sectors, noting that formalizing its development will attract investment and create jobs.

“Nigeria is endowed with significant bitumen deposits, yet the sector remains underdeveloped. The commission will provide a focused framework to unlock this potential,” Senator Bello said.

The commission is expected to oversee licensing, quality control, and research initiatives to improve bitumen exploitation and processing, ensuring compliance with environmental and safety standards.

Industry stakeholders have welcomed the move, anticipating increased local production that will reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported asphalt and lower infrastructure costs.

Economists say the commission could catalyze the growth of the bitumen sector, contributing to broader efforts to diversify the Nigerian economy beyond oil and gas.

The bill will now proceed to the President for assent before the commission can be formally inaugurated.