By Afolaranmi Damilare
The Osun State Coordinating Office of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local industries through strategic partnerships, research collaboration and increased utilization of indigenous raw materials during an industrial visit to Armstrong Paint Ltd in Osogbo.
The visit was aimed at assessing the company’s production processes, understanding its raw materials requirements, and identifying opportunities for enhanced local sourcing and value addition in the paint manufacturing industry.
Receiving the delegation, the Personnel Manager of Armstrong Paint Ltd, Mr. Hammed Ayodeji Rasaq, warmly welcomed the Osun-RMRDC team and introduced key members of the administrative staff, including Mr. Olayiwola Quadri, Senior Safety Officer; Mr. Azeez Habeeb, Administrative Officer; and Mr. Temidayo Clement, Quality Control Superintendent.
Mr. Hammed directed the Senior Safety Officer to brief the team on the company’s safety protocols and the initiatives put in place to protect workers and visitors within the facility. During the briefing, Mr. Quadri explained the safety measures adopted by the company, the operational hazards associated with factory activities and the management’s efforts to maintain a safe working environment. He noted that noise pollution had been reduced to the barest minimum in line with environmental compliance standards and highlighted the use of heavy-duty equipment such as forklifts and mixers in the production process.
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Continuing his remarks, Mr. Hammed disclosed that the company produces both oil-based and water-based paints and emphasized that Armstrong Paint products are recognized for their quality and competitiveness within Osun State. He also stated that the company has a workforce of over 250 employees, reflecting its contribution to employment generation and industrial development.
In his address, the Osun State Coordinator of RMRDC, Mr. Adeyemi Saheed A., thanked the management of Armstrong Paint Ltd for receiving the RMRDC team. He highlighted the mandate of RMRDC, which includes promoting local raw materials development, supporting value addition and strengthening industrial linkages across the country.
Mr. Adeyemi explained that the operations of Armstrong Paint Ltd align closely with the activities of the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Department of RMRDC. He also informed the company about the Council’s Raw Materials Information System, a digital platform designed to provide investors, manufacturers, researchers and other stakeholders with reliable information on the availability, location, quality and industrial applications of raw materials across Nigeria.
The State Coordinator further inquired about the company’s major raw materials, the extent of local sourcing, and the challenges faced in obtaining critical production inputs. He encouraged the company to explore opportunities for increased utilization of locally available materials and informed the management about the forthcoming African Raw Materials Summit, describing it as a valuable platform for networking, investment promotion and technical collaboration.
Responding on behalf of the technical team, the Quality Control Superintendent, Mr. Temidayo Clement, explained that the company operates several departments, including Production, Administration, Safety and Quality Control, which he heads. He identified calcium carbonate sourced from Kwara State as one of the major locally sourced materials used in production.
He also noted that some critical materials, including acrylic, are currently obtained through importers due to limited local availability. Mr. Clement provided a brief explanation of the paint manufacturing process, emphasizing that strict quality control procedures are maintained throughout production to ensure product consistency and durability.
Following the presentations, the RMRDC team conducted a comprehensive tour of the facility, during which all major sections and departments were visited. The team observed production operations, quality control procedures, storage facilities and safety practices firsthand.
At the conclusion of the tour, Mr. Adeyemi commended the management of Armstrong Paint Ltd for its commitment to quality production and industrial growth. He reiterated the Council’s readiness to support manufacturers through research and development initiatives aimed at identifying local substitutes for imported raw materials used in paint production.
According to him, reducing dependence on imported inputs would help lower production costs, stimulate local raw materials development, create employment opportunities and strengthen Nigeria’s self-reliance in the chemical and paint manufacturing industry.
The visit ended with renewed commitment from both parties to pursue stronger collaboration that would promote local content development, encourage innovation and support sustainable industrial growth in Osun State and Nigeria at large.
