Jos: National Metallurgic Development Centre

Located in the northern part of the city on the highway that leads to Kaduna and Zaria in Kaduna state, its presence In Jos was not accidental or done for political reasons.

The fact is, another name for the city of Jos could well be ‘City of Solid Minerals’ because dotting the landscape of the town (and the state too) are mining pits left behind by prospectors of tin, iron, columbite, etc. As a matter of fact, about 3km further away from here is a vast wasteland of pits, lakes and gullies which used to be a center of mining activities in the not-too-distant past.

As the name implies, the centre is the premier research and development facility for solid minerals activities in the country. Getting to the NMDC is not so straightforward from the city center. Most residents of Jos are not aware of its existence. Directly opposite the complex is the new Jos stadium under construction, and beside it is the Jos main cemetery along the Goodluck Jonathan way. The stadium and cemetery are therefore good markers in getting to this research center. Once there, you are faced with an impressive structure that is hard to miss. Apart from the factory, research labs and offices, the complex also contains an impressive living quarters for some of the staff.