By Jamila Shuaibu
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has taken a major step towards strengthening Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem with the formal launch of its Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC) and a new Technology Innovation Search Engine.
The facility was inaugurated at the RMRDC Headquarters on the 19th of February 2026 in Abuja, by the Patents and Design Office of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) during a ceremony that also witnessed the signing of a collaboration agreement between both institutions.
Giving the opening remarks at the event, the Director-General/CEO of RMRDC Prof Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso described the launch as the culmination of months of strategic engagement that began with a courtesy visit from the patent office team on April 4, 2025, led by the Registrar and Director, Barr. Jane Igwe. He explained that the visit underscored the need for a dedicated platform to support inventors, researchers and innovators.
“We discussed the need to establish the RMRDC Technology Innovation Support Centre as a strategic platform for supporting inventors, researchers and innovators with access to patent information and intellectual property services” he noted.
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Prof Ike-Muonso said he directed the swift establishment of TISC afterwards within its Directorate of Legal and Board Services and deploying technical staff to ensure its smooth take-off.
He noted that the centre’s technology database and search engine would provide access to global patent information which will support the implementation of RMRDC’s mandate in research commercialization and industrial development.
“I understand that the centre will be equipped with a Technology Innovation Database or Search Engine, which will significantly enhance access to global patent information, strengthen our intellectual property management processes, and support the effective implementation of RMRDC’s mandate in research commercialization and industrial development” he said.
The DG also expressed appreciation to FMITI for the collaboration, noting that it would accelerate efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s raw materials development ecosystem.
In her remarks, the Director and Registrar of Patent and Design office, Barr. Jane Igwe described the launch as a transformative step toward unlocking Nigeria’s industrial potential, noting that the TISC forms part of a global initiative of the World Intellectual Property Organization aimed at providing high-quality technological information to drive innovation and entrepreneurship.
“This location signifies not just the opening of a centre, but a transformative step toward unlocking Nigeria’s vast potential for industrial growth and sustainable development” she said.
Barr. Igwe said the TISC initiative closely complements RMRDC’s mandate of promoting the development and optimal utilization of Nigeria’s abundant raw materials by providing access to valuable knowledge, technological information, and resources available through the centre.
She explained that the patent office had been actively setting up TISC centers across universities, research institutes and innovation hubs nationwide for economical transformation.
“By creating a robust network of TISC centers across Nigeria, we seek to empower innovators, entrepreneurs and Researchers, to harness technologies potential to transform our economy” she said.
She added that the centre would increase awareness of intellectual property rights, boost patent applications, enhance research and development, support SMEs, and provide training and collaboration opportunities.
She described the centre as “a lifeline for innovation and a cornerstone for sustainable industrial growth,” emphasizing that it would serve as a bridge between research, industry and technology commercialization.
The Director, Legal and boards Services, Barr. Ngozi Kechi and team of other directors were present at the event.
The launch of TISC in RMRDC by FMITI signals a new era of collaboration aimed at advancing innovation, raw materials development and Nigeria’s broader industrial growth agenda.
