By Adaora Adibe
To accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Energy Access Projects (SEAP) across Nigeria, Data Analytics & Solutions International Ltd has formally initiated a partnership with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC).
During a courtesy visit to the RMRDC headquarters, the Chief Executive Officer of Data Analytics & Solutions International Ltd, Mr. Brian Amonu, and his delegation were received by the Director-General of RMRDC, Professor Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso. Mr. Amonu noted that the purpose of the visit was to seek a strategic alliance with RMRDC in deploying SEAP infrastructure across all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nigeria.
He noted that SEAP is a private-sector-led, nationally coordinated initiative aimed at delivering sustainable energy solutions in underserved communities. The programme focuses on key areas including hybrid solar and gas-powered electricity access, clean cooking energy using LPG-CNG and biogas technologies, electric mobility through the conversion of motorcycles and tricycles, and industrial energy solutions for agro-processing, industrial parks, and solid mineral beneficiation.
According to Mr. Amonu, RMRDC’s mandate to promote the development and utilisation of locally sourced raw materials makes it a critical partner in SEAP’s mission. He explained that the collaboration will focus on establishing agro-processing hubs for value chains such as cassava, rice, ginger, shea butter, and cashew, alongside solid mineral beneficiation centres for resources like limestone, kaolin, and iron ore.
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Other proposed collaboration areas include supporting the local manufacturing of clean cooking gas accessories, solar power components, bio-composites, and electric mobility infrastructure such as battery swap stations. The partnership also seeks to tap into RMRDC’s technical expertise and sectoral mapping capabilities to guide strategic investment decisions and infrastructure deployment across LGAs.
“The objective,” Mr. Amonu said, “is to ensure that energy systems directly support value addition for Nigeria’s raw materials, smallholder farmers, and SMEs, thereby reducing import dependence and unlocking industrial transformation at the grassroots level.”
He said Partners currently involved in SEAP include the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST), the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), CCK Power Technology Ltd. (technical partner), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and other development finance institutions.
He also shared updates from SEAP’s pilot project in Sagamu LGA, Ogun State, where the initiative has already begun powering markets and homes, while distributing clean cooking solutions.
The proposed partnership includes joint LGA-level raw material and energy opportunity mapping, identification of industrial clusters for energy prioritisation, and co-development of decentralised processing hubs powered by SEAP infrastructure. It will also promote joint research and development into locally manufactured energy and clean cooking technologies.
“With RMRDC’s support, we are confident that SEAP can catalyse inclusive rural industrialisation, empower local economies, and expand access to clean, affordable, and sustainable energy nationwide,” Mr. Amonu stated.
Responding, the DG, RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso said the Council will work with the organisation to achieve the laudable projects, especially in the area of providing adequate data on raw materials availability in the country. He explained that the Council have already patented a technology using cascaded coconut shells, but stated the need to grow more cocoa nuts to make it readily available in abundance in the country, since it will be a major raw material in this regard.
“My thinking is, how do we make coconut available and sustainable? We have to launch a coconut boosting programme, reforestation, planting in hundreds of hectares, this will give a push of aggressive coconut production,” the DG noted.
The Director, Chemicals and Pharmaceutical Department, Mr. Kollere, said the collaboration would be a welcome idea. He observed that RMRDC has raw material clusters developed all over Nigeria, represented in each ward. He informed that RMRDC has an onion drying production flakes in Sokoto and many other related projects. He said energy constitutes over 40% of production, and it will be strategic if this energy is readily available. He said the Council has so many successful projects that they can identify any of the projects and key into it.
Other Directors lend their expertise and contributions to align with the areas of collaborative interest. They are: Director, Planning, Statistic and Policy Department, Mrs. Rachel Kotso; Director, Directorate of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Chukwuma Ngaha; Director, Legal and Board Affairs, Mrs. Ngozi Kechi; Overseeing Director Minerals and Materials Department, Engr Okeke and Overseeing Director, Mr. A. Abdulhaziz, all gave their professional advice.
If formalised, the partnership will necessitate the establishment of a Joint Working Committee to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), identify priority Local Government Areas (LGAs) across geopolitical zones for phased implementation, and ensure alignment with SEAP’s digital investment platform and financing roadmap.”
