By Chukwuma Ngaha, Stella Azi
The Director General, Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Nnanyelugo Martin Ike-Muonso has revealed that Nigeria’s Economic prosperity hinges on effective utilization of the vast raw materials resources available in the nation, both human and material. The DG made this known while delivering a public lecture at the main auditorium of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) on February 13, 2025.
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Speaking at the maiden public lecture themed “Raw Materials Education and Sustainable Development in Contemporary Nigeria”, Prof. Ike-Muonso warned that recession is eminent if Nigeria is unable to effectively utilize and add value to its abundant raw materials before export.
The DG emphasized the critical role raw materials play in national development and sustainable prosperity. He identified several reasons why raw materials are critical to development, including their role as fundamental inputs in production processes, their impact on the quality of final products, and their potential to create new markets and improve trade balances.
“Africa’s underdevelopment is tied to the non-processing of its raw materials on its soil,” he said, highlighting the historical factors that have contributed to the continent’s underdevelopment, including the transatlantic slave trade, colonialization, and the exploitation of raw materials.
To achieve prosperity, Professor Ike-Muonso advocated for the development of raw materials into useful industrial inputs, stressing that “research and development drive innovation and industrialization, leading to economic growth and prosperity.”
He also emphasized the importance of education on raw materials, citing its potential to promote value addition, reduce dependence on imports, and foster stability and supply chain management.
“Raw materials education is crucial for sustainable development and economic diversification in Nigeria,” Professor Ike-Muonso said, calling for its integration into national curricula and strengthening institutions like the RMRDC.
The RMRDC, under Professor Ike-Muonso’s leadership, has been promoting raw materials education and development, establishing research and demonstration plant complexes, training schools, and collaborating with academia and industry for curriculum development.
Manufacturers, he noted, should support raw materials education to ensure long-term resource availability, enhance supply chain resilience, drive innovation and efficiency, strengthen corporate social responsibility, and support circular economy principles.
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“As President Tinubu said, ‘Africa’s natural resources are shaping the future,’ but we must add value to these resources to reap the benefits,” Professor Ike-Muonso concluded.
The Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Prof Alousius Michael Okolie in his address said that though the nation is greatly blessed with natural resources the challenge is harnessing these resources for economic development.
The VC, represented by Prof. Nnenna Nwobodo-Ezeike stressed the need for stakeholders to come together: the researchers, academia, industrialists and government, to build a vibrant and industrial competitive environment for sustainable national growth.
The VC started that ESUT collaboration with RMRDC at this time is necessary to change the narrative, adding that the University has the capacity for effective research in science and technology development.
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