By Kelechi Obassi
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial base through the development and utilization of comprehensive raw materials data.
This was the focus of a high-powered visit by the Ambassador of UNIDO to Nigeria, Philbert Abaka Johnson, Director, Diplomacy and International Affairs at UNIDO and Representative of the UNIDO Sub-Regional Office for Nigeria and ECOWAS, to the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of RMRDC, Professor Nnayelugo Ike-Muonso, on Friday, 17 January 2026, at the Council’s headquarters.
The visit aimed at deepening collaboration on establishing accessible and reliable raw materials data to support manufacturers and industrialists, improve resource availability, boost exports, and promote sustainable industrialization in Nigeria.
The meeting, which had top management staff of RMRDC in attendance, emphasized the importance of data-driven industrial development for building resilient infrastructure, enhancing competitiveness, encouraging commercialization, and fostering innovation.
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Ambassador Johnson noted that the engagement aligns with UNIDO’s mandate on raw materials development in Nigeria, which includes capacity building and technology transfer to promote Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID). According to him, transforming locally available raw materials into high-value processed goods will drive economic diversification, create jobs, and improve industrial competitiveness.
Speaking during the meeting, Ambassador Johnson expressed satisfaction with the operations of RMRDC, stating that he had seen a lot of enthusiasm in the work of the Council. He affirmed UNIDO’s readiness to support the enhancement of the Council’s existing data systems and assist in advancing Nigeria’s raw materials development to achieve sustainable job creation and industrial growth.
In his response, Professor Ike-Muonso appreciated the long-standing synergy between UNIDO and RMRDC, noting that the partnership has spanned years in the areas of capacity building, technology transfer, and quality infrastructure standards. He described the visit as timely and significant, assuring that the collaboration would further upgrade the Council’s raw materials database.
The Director-General emphasized that improved data availability would help RMRDC fulfill its mandate of supporting manufacturers with accurate information on raw materials. He added that the proposed 30% Value Addition bill, expected to be passed into law, would be easier to implement with a comprehensive data platform, creating a stronger interface between government and manufacturers.
Professor Ike-Muonso expressed optimism about Nigeria’s industrial future, stating that Africa would be better positioned economically through structured data-driven industrial policies.
Also speaking, Director of the Agriculture and Agro-Allied Department, Dr. Ebiriekwe Sab, noted that since the current Director-General assumed office, data commercialization has been a key strategic focus. He said RMRDC has a comparative advantage in driving competitiveness under the 30% value addition framework, stressing that effective commercialization cannot be achieved without accurate data.
Providing additional insight, Mr. Kollere Abubakar, Director of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Department, disclosed that RMRDC had previously worked on an African raw materials database, describing the current engagement as a continuation of the strong UNIDO–RMRDC relationship.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Chinyere Nnamdi-Anum, Director of Corporate Affairs, thanked the UNIDO delegation and commended Ambassador Johnson for his humility, determination and readiness to support the initiative.
Similarly, Dr. Cyril Chiwenyi Hamilton stated that RMRDC is fully prepared to execute the project, noting that the Council had already geo-positioned raw materials across the country and possesses extensive curated data, which is analyzed using available platforms.
The partnership also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope “Nigeria First” policy, which emphasizes harnessing local resources to drive national development and industrial growth.
