By Oyajimi Monsuru & Adeniyi Sakiru
As part of its commitment to promoting the utilization and value addition of Nigeria’s raw materials, the Ogun State Coordinating Office of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) conducted a technical visit to SONMAUYEK Global Nigeria Limited, located at Km 12, Obafemi Ajebo Road, Abeokuta, Ogun State, to explore partnership in advancing production.
The visit, which took place on June 2, 2026, was led by the Ogun State Coordinator, Mr. Rabiu B.O., following an earlier visit by the company’s management to the RMRDC Ogun State Office which provided an opportunity for both organizations to further discuss areas of collaboration aimed at strengthening cassava value addition and industrial development.
During the visit, the RMRDC team toured the company’s processing facility and observed various stages of cassava processing. The delegation also inspected some of the products currently produced by the company, including cassava starch, odourless fufu flour, tapioca, and processed cassava peel used in animal feed production.
The facility demonstrated how cassava, one of Nigeria’s most abundant agricultural commodities, can be transformed into multiple value-added products capable of serving both household and industrial markets.
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Speaking during the visit, the Chief Executive Officer of SONMAUYEK GLOBAL NIGERIA LIMITED, Mr. Aina Timothy, described cassava as a major driver of economic growth if properly harnessed through processing and industrial utilization.
According to him, the challenge facing many agro-processing companies is not the availability of raw materials but access to the resources needed to scale up production. “We have the raw materials. What many processors need is greater access to finance and modern processing equipment that can help increase production and meet industrial demand,” he said.
Mr. Timothy noted that the demand for industrial starch continues to grow across several sectors of the economy, including food and beverage manufacturing, brewing, confectionery production, pharmaceuticals, and other industrial applications.
He explained that increasing local starch production would help reduce dependence on imports while creating more opportunities for farmers, processors, and other actors within the cassava value chain.
The CEO also emphasized the importance of ensuring that every part of the cassava crop is utilized productively. According to him, products such as starch, tapioca, odourless fufu flour, and animal feed derived from cassava peel all contribute to making the value chain more profitable and sustainable.
The RMRDC State Coordinator, Mr. Rabiu, commended the company’s efforts in promoting local raw materials utilization and observed significant potential for business expansion and increased contribution to industrial development. The team noted that while the company has made commendable progress in value addition, challenges such as access to processing finance, acquisition of modern equipment, and regulatory certification continue to affect growth and expansion.
He reiterated RMRDC’s commitment to supporting enterprises that transform Nigeria’s raw materials into value-added products.
“Companies such as SONMAUYEK demonstrate the enormous opportunities that exist within our local raw materials sector. Supporting such enterprises aligns with RMRDC’s mandate of promoting industrial growth, creating jobs, encouraging import substitution, and strengthening the nation’s economy,” he stated.
He further emphasized the importance of building stronger partnerships between government institutions and private sector operators to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s abundant raw material resources.
The visit provided a valuable platform for discussing opportunities for collaboration in areas such as technology development, capacity building, investment facilitation, and market expansion. It also reinforced the Council’s commitment to working closely with stakeholders to promote sustainable industrial development through the efficient utilization of locally available raw materials.
