By Chuks Ngaha
The Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Nnanyelugo Martin Ike-Muonso has charged Directors of the Council to redouble their efforts towards actualizing the Council’s value addition agenda on industrial raw materials.
Prof. Ike-Muonso gave the charge at the council’s senior management retreat held on Friday, 18th -19th, October, 2024 at the Arcade Hotel, Abuja.
The Director-General emphasized the critical role directors play in driving the council’s mandate, stressing that Nigeria’s economic growth and industrial development hinge significantly on the effective utilization of local raw materials.
“We must work tirelessly to add value to our raw materials, reduce import dependence, and promote export-driven growth,” Prof Ike-Muonso urged. “This requires innovative thinking, strategic partnerships, and collaborative efforts among directors and stakeholders.
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Prof. Ike-Muonso outlined key objectives for the directors to focus on: Enhance research and development of local raw materials; Promote value addition through processing and manufacturing; Foster partnerships with industries, academia, and government agencies; Develop policies and regulations supporting raw materials development; and Strengthen capacity building and human resource development.
The RMRDC Director-General highlighted progress made by the Council to include: Development of new raw materials-based industries, enhancement of existing industries through research and innovation, collaboration with international organizations to access new technologies and the establishment of raw materials testing laboratories.
On the challenges ahead of the Council, he acknowledged funding constraints, Infrastructure deficits, Skills gaps, regulatory hurdles amongst others.
According to the DG, to overcome these challenges, there is the need for increased funding and resource allocation, strategic partnerships with stakeholders, capacity building, promulgation of appropriate policies, and regulatory enhancements.
Concluding, Prof.Ike-Muonso charged the directors to, “think outside the box, be innovative, and drive the value addition agenda with passion and commitment. The future of Nigeria’s industrial development depends on our collective efforts.”
High points of the retreat were: Presentation of papers by industry experts; Group discussions and brainstorming sessions; Strategic planning and goal-setting exercises; Networking opportunities among directors.
