By Abubakar Mikailu & Lukman Isah
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s abundant raw materials into engines of industrial and economic prosperity as it marked its Special Day at the 47th Kaduna International Trade Fair.
The event, held at the Kaduna International Trade and Investment Centre, was themed “From Reforms to Results: Economic Transformation through Sustained Local Content Development.” It provided a strategic platform for the Council to showcase practical innovations and measurable progress in promoting local content development across key sectors of the economy.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, the Director, State Industrial Extension Services Department, Dr. Edith Obi, described the theme as more than a slogan, calling it a national “clarion call” to move from policy formulation to concrete implementation.
According to the Director General, Nigeria must halt the continuous export of raw materials with little economic return and instead focus on producing finished, value-added goods capable of competing in both local and international markets. He stressed that bridging the gap between reforms and tangible outcomes lies in sustained local content development.
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“The transition from reforms to results requires a bridge. That bridge is Local Content Development,” he stated, noting that RMRDC has progressed beyond documentation and advocacy to driving real industrial outcomes that stimulate economic growth and job creation.
A major highlight of the exhibition was the Council’s collaboration with local Panteka innovators in Kaduna, which led to the fabrication of rugged and efficient processing machines. These included hammer mills, corn threshers, and fish dryers designed to enhance value addition, reduce post-harvest losses, and strengthen small and medium-scale enterprises. The machines, prominently displayed at the RMRDC pavilion, attracted strong interest from stakeholders, investors, and visitors.
In his welcome address, the State Coordinator of the RMRDC Kaduna Coordinating Office, Mutallab Jibrin Shehu, reaffirmed the Council’s focus on practical interventions that directly impact local industries. He observed that Kaduna State’s rich endowment in agro-raw materials and solid minerals positions it as a strategic hub for Nigeria’s industrial transformation.
“We are showcasing tangible results,” he said. “From locally fabricated processing machines developed with indigenous innovators to our focused intervention in the shea value chain, we are demonstrating that local content is not theoretical. It is practical, scalable, and profitable.”
Mr. Shehu also announced that the Council is set to host the 2nd Edition of the Raw Materials Summit in Abuja, with the theme: “From Feedstock to African Factories” aimed at deepening stakeholder engagement, promoting investment opportunities, and accelerating Nigeria’s drive towards value addition and industrial self-reliance.
