By Abdullah Imrana
The Vice Chancellor of Federal University Gusau (FUGUS), Professor Tukur Adamu, has pledged the establishment of a Raw Materials Testing Centre to support the mandate of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) and deepen research–industry collaboration.
The commitment was made on April 23, 2026, when the Zamfara State Coordinating Office of RMRDC delegation led by the State Coordinator, Mr. Muhammad Gambo-Yaro, paid a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor as part of efforts to strengthen institutional partnerships and promote value addition in Nigeria’s raw materials sector.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Gambo-Yaro said the engagement was aimed at reinvigorating existing collaboration between the Council and the University, while exploring new areas of partnership. He noted that upon assumption of office, he met several ongoing initiatives, particularly in the area of value addition to mineral and agro raw materials.
He emphasised the proposed establishment of a Raw Materials Testing Centre within the University, to be equipped with modern machinery capable of ensuring that Nigeria’s raw materials meet the minimum level of value addition required for export. According to him, the initiative aligns with the Council’s evolving bill currently undergoing legislative processes and awaiting presidential assent.
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Providing further insight, the University Desk Officer to RMRDC, Dr. Yahaya Abubakar, highlighted ongoing engagements between both institutions at national and state levels. These include participation in the African Raw Materials Summit, collaboration on the development of the proposed testing centre, involvement in a gold value chain seminar, and joint efforts in a skincare innovation programme.
In his response, Professor Adamu welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed the University’s commitment to research as its core mandate. He stressed the need for Nigerian universities to focus on addressing local challenges, particularly in agriculture and mineral resource development.
The Vice Chancellor observed that Zamfara State is richly endowed with agricultural and mineral resources, including gold and other untapped minerals such as copper and lithium. He cautioned against overdependence on gold and advocated broader exploration of other raw materials to drive economic growth.
He also decried the continued export of raw materials in their raw state, noting that such materials are often re-imported as finished or semi-finished products at higher costs. He emphasised the urgent need for local value addition to reverse this trend.
Professor Adamu assured the delegation of the University’s readiness to establish the proposed Raw Materials Testing Centre, noting that while the institution may not immediately provide all the required equipment, it is committed to setting up a central laboratory with modern facilities to support advanced research and testing.
He added that further discussions would be held with the Desk Officer to clearly define the roles and expectations of both parties to ensure the successful establishment and operation of the centre.
The Vice Chancellor reaffirmed that FUGUS remains fully committed to making its collaboration with RMRDC productive and impactful as it marks another significant step toward strengthening research–industry linkages and promoting value addition in Nigeria’s raw materials sector, in line with the nation’s economic diversification agenda.
Other members of the RMRDC team included A.D. Muhammad; Sa’adu Musa and Abdullahi I. B.
