The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Ondo State Coordinating Office, has intensified engagement with the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) as part of efforts to strengthen protocol compliance and fast-track the establishment of a new research and development facility earlier announced by the Council.
During a follow-up visit to FUTA on Monday, the Ondo State Coordinator of RMRDC, Mrs. Tejumola F.A., held strategic discussions with university officials to address pending administrative gaps and reinforce the importance of proper governance in the emerging partnership.
Mrs. Tejumola explained that although the initial collaboration blueprint had long been agreed upon, RMRDC headquarters had not received the required official communication from FUTA naming a designated representative to coordinate and monitor the project. She emphasized that such communication is critical to ensure smooth implementation, alignment of responsibilities and adherence to established institutional protocols.
She was received by Professor Ademeso A.O., Head of the Applied Geology Department and a key figure in the early stages of the collaboration. Professor Ademeso expressed surprise at the communication lapse, noting that FUTA had already internally agreed to nominate the Director of the Centre for Research in Agricultural Development (CERAD) as the institution’s representative. He acknowledged that this nomination should have been formally transmitted to RMRDC headquarters through the appropriate administrative channels.
Mrs. Tejumola reiterated that strict compliance with protocol remains central to the Council’s operational culture, describing it as essential for accountability, transparency, and efficiency in collaborative projects. She further underscored the critical role FUTA is expected to play in the upcoming Investors’ Forum, themed
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According to her, the Forum expected to convene key industry players, policymakers, and research institutions will provide an opportunity for FUTA to showcase its capacity for innovation, research excellence, and technological solutions capable of accelerating industrialization in Ondo State’s cocoa value chain.
The State Coordinator noted that the partnership aligns with the strategic vision of the RMRDC Director General, Professor Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, who has championed the establishment of commercialization hubs that bridge university research with industrial development across Nigeria.
She said the proposed R&D facility is expected to leverage Ondo State’s abundant mineral and agricultural resources, particularly its globally acclaimed cocoa production capacity, to drive value addition, research commercialization and economic growth.
At the end of the meeting, Mrs. Tejumola confirmed that RMRDC will await the university’s official nomination letter to headquarters and expressed optimism that FUTA’s full participation in the Investors’ Forum would further consolidate the partnership.
The visit marks another step in RMRDC’s proactive effort to eliminate administrative bottlenecks, ensure timely communication among partners, and pave the way for effective deployment of the landmark project. With both institutions expected to finalize pending documentation, the collaboration is moving steadily toward the implementation phase, positioning FUTA as a strategic academic partner in advancing Nigeria’s raw materials research and industrial development agenda.
