By Umar Adamu and Nafisat Busari
The Niger State Coordinating Office of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has pushed for stronger circular economy partnerships to promote waste-to-wealth initiatives, create jobs, enhance capacity building, and encourage value addition in Niger State during an industrial visit to AZ Innovations Ventures Ltd, Niger State.
AZ Innovations Ventures Ltd, is a waste management and recycling support company located at the Industrial Layout along Mandela Road, Minna, Niger State.
The RMRDC team, led by a Senior Scientific Officer, Mr. Mustapha Mohammed Nma, were received by the Founder of AZ Innovations Ventures Ltd, Mrs. Zainab Ishaq.
Mr. Mma stressed the need for the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) to strengthen circular economy partnerships aimed at promoting waste-to-wealth initiatives, creating employment opportunities, enhancing capacity building, and encouraging value addition in Niger State.
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He noted that recycling and waste recovery are vital components of sustainable industrial development and environmental sustainability. According to him, strategic collaboration among government institutions such as RMRDC, private investors, development partners, and recycling firms would facilitate the conversion of waste materials into valuable industrial resources capable of boosting local production, empowering youths, and reducing unemployment in the state.
Speaking during the visit, the Founder of AZ Innovations Ventures Ltd, Mrs. Zainab Ishaq, identified unstable electricity supply, high operational costs, environmental pollution caused by generator emissions, and inadequate recycling equipment as major challenges affecting the company’s operations. She disclosed that the company relies heavily on a 33 KVA diesel-powered generator to operate its baling machine due to the absence of a stable public power supply, noting that the rising cost of fuel and equipment maintenance continues to hinder productivity and expansion efforts.
Despite these operational constraints, Mrs. Ishaq stated that the company has continued to achieve notable progress in environmental sanitation, waste recovery, and income generation for refuse pickers and other community members engaged in recyclable waste collection.
She explained that the company’s activities have contributed significantly to reducing indiscriminate waste disposal, promoting a culture of recycling, creating livelihood opportunities for youths, and strengthening the supply of recyclable raw materials to partner recycling industries, thereby supporting environmental sustainability and economic development in Niger State.
The RMRDC delegation included the Senior Scientific Officer, Mr. Mustapha Mohammed Nma, who represented the Niger State Coordinator, Dr. Abdulrasheed Mohammed; Scientific Officer I, Mrs. Fauziyat Shehu; Senior Investment Officer, Mrs. Rahmat Manko; and Scientific Officer I, Mrs. Aisha Ishaq.
