By Festus Obot
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) and Practical Artificial Intelligence Development Foundation (PAIDEF) have begun talks aimed at exploring strategic opportunities in adopting and integrating artificial intelligence in raw materials development and processing in Nigeria. This was disclosed when the National President of the AI Foundation, Professor Oludele Awodele led its Chairman, Prof. Adesina Simon Sodiya, and other members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) to pay a courtesy visit on the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of RMRDC, Professor Nnanyelugo M. Ike-Muonso on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 in the Council’s Headquarters, Abuja.
Briefing the DG on the purpose of their visit, the PAIDEF National President, Prof. Oludele Awodele pointed out that the Foundation is a dynamic community of AI experts, enthusiasts, researchers and practitioners committed to advancing the field of artificial intelligence across Nigeria. He added that that the Foundation’s mission is to boost innovation, knowledge sharing and ethical AI practices.
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Prof. Awodele informed the RMRDC Boss that given RMRDC’s unparalleled commitment to the development and promoting optimal utilization of Nigeria’s local raw materials for industries, partnership with the Council would be a mutually beneficial and impactful to both parties. He further informed the DG that PAIDEF would be particularly interested in exploring opportunities where AI can be adopted to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of raw materials research, development, and utilization that will ultimately contribute to Nigeria’s industrial growth and technological advancement.
While welcoming the delegation, Prof. Ike-Muonsonoted that artificial intelligence remains at the center of today’s development globally and the Council which is repositioning to become a global player in the raw materials ecosystem, cannot afford to be left behind. According to Prof. Ike-Muonso, he stated, “RMRDC will be shooting itself in the foot if it plays down on the important role that AI can play in our 10-year raw materials development roadmap”, he stated.
Prof Ike-Muonso assured the visiting team of the RMRDC’s preparedness to collaborate with the Foundation especially in the area of integrating AI as a critical component of Council’s ten-year plan of ensuring at least 60% value addition to Nigeria’s raw materials.
Some management staff of RMRDC who joined the Director General to receive the guests include: Mr. Maju Gimba, Director, ICT Infrastructure Management Department; Mr. Lawal Suraj, Director, Investment Promotion and Consultancy Services Department, Dr. Mrs. Grace Abidoye, Deputy Director, Directorate of Corporate Affairs and Mrs. Kelechi Obassi.
