By Grace Abidoye, Dorcas Bello, Rejoice Peter
Research and Development Desk Officers of the various Nigerian Universities converged at the Raw Materials Research and Development Council’s Headquarters in Abuja for a strategic meeting of stakeholders and inauguration.
The Director General Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Prof. Nnanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso, in his opening remark, said that when he took over leadership of the Council, his administration developed a template to reflect research proposals from Researchers who support industries that investors get interested in to use in their industrial activities.
He informed that the collaboration between RMRDC and Nigerian Universities on Research and Development (R&D) commercialization in the raw materials value chain is necessary to build the economy of Nigeria. He observed that Nigeria is blessed with abundant raw material resources which serve as inputs to the industries, but need to be properly harnessed so it can drive economic growth, create jobs and reduce poverty.
However, the country has struggled to maximize the benefits of its raw materials due to various challenges, including inadequate research and development, limited investment in technology and innovation and weak linkages between research institutions and industries.
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The DG further said that the main objective of the proposed collaboration is to bridge the gap between research and industry by promoting research and development commercialization in the raw materials value chain.
He explained some specific objectives of the collaboration, among which are to develop raw materials-based research projects with commercialization potential, to facilitate the transfer of technology and innovation from Universities to industry, promote entrepreneurship and innovation in the raw materials sector, etc.
The expected outcomes of the collaboration are to increase the commercialization of research outputs in the raw materials sector, improve linkages between Universities and industry, enhance the capacity of University Researchers to conduct industry-relevant research, and increase entrepreneurship and innovation in the raw materials sector.
Earlier, the Director, Investment Promotion Consultancy Services Department (IPCSD), Mr Mohammed Y. Adamu, welcomed the participants to the meeting and expressed his hope that they engage in productive discussions that will help the Country attain full development.
Participants were delighted that the initiative would be productive, expressing preparedness to partner with RMRDC for its success of enhancing industry productivity through their research projects.
