By Adaora Adibe
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has reiterated its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda by strengthening its interventions in food security, industrial growth, and economic diversification.
The pledge follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Independence Day broadcast on October 1, 2025, where he reaffirmed that the nation’s economic recovery and prosperity will be anchored on reforms, productivity, and a robust and diligent agricultural sector.
In his national address to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, President Tinubu noted that the administration is working diligently to “boost agricultural production and ensure food security, reducing food costs.” He emphasised that sustainable growth necessitates collective action to transform Nigeria into a nation of producers rather than mere consumers.
In alignment with this vision, the Director-General of RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, emphasized the Council’s commitment and assiduous efforts toward fulfilling its mandate of promoting value addition to local raw materials, fostering agro-industrial linkages, and reducing dependence on imports, thereby directly supporting the President’s call for a productive economy.
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“Food security is not just about cultivation; it is about ensuring that what we grow is processed, preserved, and utilized efficiently to meet local demand and create export opportunities. Our ongoing projects in crop processing, post-harvest management, and industrial raw material development are deliberately targeted at building resilience in Nigeria’s economy,” Prof. Ike-Muonso said.
A major initiative in this regard is the 30% Value Addition Bill, recently proposed by the RMRDC. The bill seeks to ensure that at least 30% of Nigeria’s raw materials are processed locally before export. It is designed to stimulate industrial growth, create jobs, and reduce capital flight. According to the Council, its implementation would be a game-changer for Nigeria’s economy, unlocking opportunities for agro-processing, manufacturing, and the expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Over the past year, RMRDC has intensified its research and pilot projects in strategic crops such as cassava, Moringa, rice, oil palm, starch, shea nut and sesame etc, while supporting innovative technologies for animal feed, bio-fertilizers, and storage systems to curb post-harvest losses. These efforts, according to the Council, are designed to lower food costs and encourage agro-processing enterprises that will create jobs, drive exports, and sustain growth, echoing President Tinubu’s declaration that Nigeria must “farm our land and build factories to process our produce.”
Furthermore, in response to the President’s emphasis on economic diversification and industrialisation, RMRDC is scaling up its initiatives in non-oil sectors by strengthening linkages between research institutions, farmers, and manufacturers. This is shown by the strong partnerships with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN). Also, with the recent hosting of the first Africa Raw Materials Summit this year, May 2025, by the RMRDC with significant results were recorded. This, the Council notes, builds strong industrial partnerships, grows our industries and expands the supply chain for industries and reduces Nigeria’s over-reliance on imported raw materials.
The Council also highlighted its support for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) through training, technology transfer, and partnerships with state governments and private investors. A key aspect is the Investors Forum program RMRDC embarks on in all the state offices and headquarters. These interventions, it said, will not only enhance local production capacity but also align with the administration’s drive to build a self-reliant, export-driven economy.
“RMRDC stands ready to support the government’s reforms by ensuring that our natural and agricultural resources are converted into finished products that serve our people and contribute to national GDP. The 30% Value Addition Bill will further consolidate this agenda by creating an enabling environment for industries to thrive,” the DG added.
As Nigeria celebrates 65 years of independence, the Council reassured stakeholders that its strategies, anchored on food security, value addition, and industrialisation, will continue to reinforce President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for a prosperous and self-reliant nation.
