By Oluwaseyi Otitoju, Nafisat Abdulrahman
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) is in discussions with Betta Products Ltd on a proposed project to develop welding electrodes using 85 percent locally sourced raw materials.
At a meeting held recently at the Council’s headquarters in Abuja, the Director-General of RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo M. Ike-Muonso, received the Chief Executive Officer of Betta Products Ltd, Mr. Yemi Oshifodunrin, to discuss the project.
During the meeting, Prof. Ike-Muonso emphasized that the key elements used in the welding electrode must be sourced locally. He noted that the Council needs to work with Betta Products Ltd to fully prove and ensure that the raw materials used for the electrode are actually 85 percent locally made as the company said.
The DG also stressed the importance of putting in place a formal document to guide the project’s development, alongside a contract framework. He added that once all processes are finalized, the collaboration would move toward a joint ownership structure between RMRDC and Betta Products Ltd.
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In his remarks, Mr. Oshifodunrin described the project as a revolutionary step toward reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported industrial inputs. “This initiative is not just about reducing import,” he said. “It’s about unlocking the value of our national resources, empowering industries, and creating jobs across multiple sectors.”
He noted that Betta Products and its partners are already engaging stakeholders on the project vision, technical strategy, and the crucial role RMRDC will play in driving the effort forward.
The welding electrode project is expected to boost local manufacturing, enhance technology adoption, and strengthen Nigeria’s industrial value chain for greater economic independence.
