Mrs. Ogbalu T, Mr. Bankole R., & Mr. Orebiyi S.
In line with the mandate of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) to promote the development and optimal utilization of Nigeria’s raw materials and to foster linkages between research, industry, and governance across all levels, the Ogun State Coordinating Office of the Council undertook a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of Ipokia Local Government Area, Hon. Johnson Akohomeh Avoseh, on Monday, 6th August 2025.
This strategic engagement was aimed at strengthening collaboration with sub-national governments, promoting grassroots industrialization, and enhancing agricultural productivity through sustainable raw materials development. It also served as an avenue to sensitize the local government leadership on key RMRDC programs, initiatives, and policy directions, especially in alignment with national priorities.
The RMRDC delegation was led by the Ogun State Coordinator, Mr. Rabiu Basiru Olawale, who provided a comprehensive overview of the Council’s mandate and operational focus, emphasizing the importance of leveraging Nigeria’s vast raw material base to drive local content development, industrialization, and employment generation. He highlighted several of the Council’s ongoing programs including: seed multiplication projects supporting crops such as tomato, plantain, cashew, kolanut, soybean, cassava, maize, and ginger; the Raw Materials Price Index Survey in selected local markets to monitor price trends and inform policy; support for the commercialization of Research & Development (R&D) outputs; establishment of Raw Materials Resource Centres in partnership with sub-national governments; the 30% Raw Materials Value Addition Bill, currently under legislative processes, which seeks to ensure value is retained in-country before raw materials are exported; and preparations for the RMRDC Investor Forum, a strategic platform to convene researchers, investors, and policymakers to drive innovation and investment across the raw materials value chain.
In his response, Hon. Johnson Akohomeh Avoseh appreciated the Council for initiating the visit and expressed readiness to collaborate with RMRDC in the interest of agricultural and industrial development. He specifically welcomed the Council’s seedling and mechanisation support initiatives and proposed the following key areas for partnership: distribution of improved seedlings to local farmers; access to mechanised farming equipment; improved market access for agricultural produce; capacity building and translation of programme materials into local languages, particularly Yoruba, to bridge communication gaps and ensure grassroots understanding; and early planning for seed distribution ahead of planting seasons to maximise yields.
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He also noted the unique soil characteristics of Ipokia, which support rapid drying for block molding and construction-an opportunity for local industrial development.
This engagement supports the agricultural transformation objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which prioritizes food security, rural economic development, and inclusive job creation. It also aligns with the ISEYA Development Agenda of the Ogun State Government under His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, which advocates innovation, strategic partnerships, and economic empowerment at the grassroots level.
The meeting concluded with mutual agreement to further discussions and planning towards full-scale implementation of agreed areas of collaboration. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to deepening partnerships that will enhance raw materials development, improve agricultural productivity, and drive sustainable industrial growth within Ipokia Local Government and beyond.
