By Adeyemi Saheed and Ebenezer Ojelade
The Osun State Coordinating Office of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) carried out an industrial visit to the Eternity Stone Group Headquarters and Fabrication Facility, located along Garage–Ilesha Road in Osogbo, Osun State, to explore partnership opportunities for industrial growth and development, in line with the Council’s mandate.
The visit was led by the Osun State Coordinator of RMRDC, Mr. Adeyemi Saheed A., who was received by the Chief Executive Officer of Eternity Stone Group, Mr. Bolaji Jegede.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Saheed introduced the RMRDC team and stated that the purpose of the visit was to identify technical gaps affecting productivity and product quality, while also providing advisory support on improved processing, packaging, and branding of locally produced goods.
He noted that the engagement formed part of the Council’s ongoing efforts to interact with local industries, assess their operational capacity, and identify opportunities for collaboration that would enhance the utilization of locally available raw materials for industrial growth.
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He further highlighted the Council’s mandate of promoting the development and optimal utilization of Nigeria’s abundant raw materials to support sustainable industrial development. He explained that such engagements enable the Council to better understand the needs and challenges of local manufacturers, explore ways to provide technical support, and link them with relevant government programmes.
Mr. Saheed also used the opportunity to brief the management of Eternity Stone Group on some of the Council’s recent and upcoming initiatives. He informed the company about the proposed 30 percent value addition policy, which seeks to ensure that Nigerian raw materials undergo significant local processing before export, in order to boost industrialization, create employment, and increase national revenue. He also mentioned the upcoming African Raw Materials Summit, scheduled to hold from June 23 to 25, 2026.
The Chief Executive Officer of Eternity Stone Group, Mr. Bolaji Jegede, welcomed the RMRDC delegation and expressed appreciation for the Council’s interest in the company’s operations. He explained that Eternity Stone Group operates across multiple sectors, including energy solutions, fabrication and metal works, mining, and technical training.
According to him, the company provides solar power solutions for homes, small businesses, and off-grid communities, while also maintaining a fabrication facility where metal components and equipment are produced. He added that the company conducts hands-on training for technicians and apprentices in areas such as solar installation, system maintenance, welding, and fabrication.
Mr. Jegede also showcased the company’s locally developed energy-efficient coal stove, an innovation designed to reduce fuel consumption and smoke emissions for households and small-scale food vendors. He noted that the company relies heavily on locally sourced raw materials, including clay, metal sheets, and iron rods, in producing its equipment and machinery.
Despite these efforts, he explained that the company faces several operational challenges, including low patronage of its products, inadequate funding, and unfavourable government policies, which continue to affect its growth potential.
The RMRDC team, including Principal Scientific Officer, Engr. Adams O. O., Senior Technical Officer, Mr. Ojelade E. A., and Scientific Officer II, Mr. Komolafe C. B., also toured the company’s production facility, inspecting key equipment such as shaping and turning machines used in the fabrication process. The visit provided an opportunity for both parties to discuss possible technical support, knowledge sharing, and collaboration aimed at improving production efficiency and promoting the wider acceptance of locally manufactured products.
At the end of the visit, Eternity Stone Group expressed its willingness to partner with RMRDC in advancing the use of Nigerian raw materials and strengthening the production of Made-in-Nigeria products. The company also recommended that the Council continue to provide information on the availability and locations of local raw materials to assist manufacturers in accessing them more easily.
The visit successfully established a platform for future collaboration between RMRDC and Eternity Stone Group, while also documenting the company’s innovative activities in fabrication and renewable energy solutions. It further reinforced the Council’s commitment to supporting local industries and promoting value addition for sustainable economic development.
