By Kelechi Obassi and Lilian Harisson
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has taken a bold step toward transforming Nigeria’s chemical sector by organizing a one-day stakeholders’ meeting on October 28, 2025. The event, aimed at creating a unified body of chemical vendors and promoting local sourcing and production, also marked the Council’s announcement of its readiness to pilot Nigeria’s first-ever Chemical Market Database, a groundbreaking initiative applauded by industry stakeholders.
The Director-General of RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, represented by the Director, Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Department, Mr. Abubakar Kollere, welcomed participants and expressed appreciation to the chemical vendors and the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON). He commended their presence as a reflection of their shared commitment to the sustainable growth and transformation of Nigeria’s chemical and allied industries.
Prof. Ike-Muonso described the chemical sector as a fundamental pillar of Nigeria’s industrial development, providing essential inputs for manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, energy, and consumer goods. He, however, noted that the sector continues to face challenges such as limited local production capacity, dependence on imports, quality assurance issues, and regulatory bottlenecks.
The Director-General assured stakeholders that RMRDC is fully committed to addressing these challenges by supporting marketers to source and produce chemicals locally through strategic partnerships with ICCON. He outlined the key objectives of the stakeholders’ engagement meeting, which include the establishment of a unified body of chemical marketers and producers, and the identification of locally available chemicals and their sources.
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According to him, strengthening local chemical production will significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports while boosting industrial self-sufficiency. “The Council is ready to support and encourage chemical vendors and marketers to produce these chemicals locally, as this will lessen the country’s dependence on importation,” he emphasized.
Delivering the keynote address, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of ICCON, Dr. Ifunnaya Iroegbulem, represented by the Head of Membership and Training of the Institute, reaffirmed ICCON’s commitment to regulating the practice of chemistry in Nigeria and upholding the highest standards of professionalism and ethics within the sector.
Dr. Iroegbulem stressed that chemical safety and proper handling should not merely be viewed as compliance requirements but as the foundation of a thriving, responsible, and sustainable chemical market. She highlighted that chemical vendors are custodians of substances that power agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and research, noting that their practices have a direct impact on public health and the environment.
While acknowledging the indispensable role of chemicals in modern life, Dr. Iroegbulem cautioned that improper handling could result in property damage and loss of life. She urged vendors to employ trained personnel in their operations and announced that ICCON is prepared to offer free training in chemical handling to enhance safety and professional competence across the industry.
In response, some of the chemical vendors commended both RMRDC and ICCON for their forward-thinking initiatives, particularly the forthcoming Chemical Market Database, which they described as a game-changer for accessibility and transparency in the sector. One of the stakeholders, Mr. Mba Patrick, remarked that with the database, locating and identifying available chemicals across Nigeria will become as easy as “a touch on a phone screen.”
The meeting concluded on a high note, with participants expressing optimism that the new collaborative framework between RMRDC, ICCON, and chemical vendors would pave the way for a safer, more efficient, and self-reliant chemical industry in Nigeria.
