By Adeyemi Saheed, Afolaranmi Damilare
The Governor of Osun State, His Excellency Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon. Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, participated in the Africa Raw Materials Summit 2025. The summit took place from May 20th to 22nd, 2025, at the Continental Hotel in Abuja.
Rev. Jenyo lauded the efforts of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) under the leadership of Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, commending their tireless work in promoting value addition and industrialization in Africa. He expressed gratitude for the council’s commitment to harnessing the continent’s raw materials for sustainable economic development.
Notably, during the summit, Rev. Jenyo stressed the importance of adding value to Nigeria and Africa’s raw materials to achieve sustainable economic development. He expressed concern over the export of raw materials such as cocoa beans, which are later imported as finished products like chocolate at significantly higher costs. Rev. Jenyo advocated for local value addition to boost profits and stimulate economic growth.
Furthermore, he highlighted the significance of irrigation in agricultural production, citing Israel’s irrigation system as a model that enables year-round production of fruits and vegetables for global consumption. He noted that adopting similar irrigation systems in Nigeria would increase crop yields, enhance food security, and provide opportunities for farmers to produce high-quality crops for both domestic and international markets. This, he said, would also create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and reduce reliance on imported agricultural products.
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The summit provided a platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers to share insights and expertise on harnessing Africa’s raw materials for economic growth and development. Key outcomes included the identification of opportunities for partnerships and investments, as well as the development of policy recommendations to support the growth of Africa’s raw materials sector. With the summit’s focus on driving industrial growth and economic development, stakeholders are optimistic about the potential for Africa’s raw materials to transform the continent’s economic landscape.
