By Rabiu Olawale
As part of ongoing efforts to promote sustainable utilization of Nigeria’s raw material resources for industrial growth and economic diversification, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has carried out a strategic field visitation to key limestone deposits in Ogun State.
The one-day exercise, coordinated by the Ogun State Office of the Council, covered two major limestone-rich communities, Lapeleke in Ewekoro Local Government Area and Idogo in Yewa South Local Government Area. The field visit aimed to assess the quantity and accessibility of the deposits, collect representative samples for laboratory analysis, and engage local stakeholders to foster future collaboration on resource-based industrial development.
The RMRDC delegation was led by the Head of the Coating and Printing Chemicals Development Division, Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Department, Engr. Amina Abdulmalik, at the Council’s headquarters in Abuja. She was accompanied by Mr. Rabiu B.O., Ogun State Coordinator, and other technical staff.
The first stop was Lapeleke, where the team was warmly welcomed by His Royal Majesty, Oba Odekunle Adebari Thomas, King of Lapeleke. Commending the Council’s interest in the community’s natural endowments, the monarch described the initiative as a positive step toward sustainable development. He expressed the community’s full support for future projects and personally led the delegation on a guided tour of the limestone sites, sharing valuable historical, geological, and economic insights.
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Later in the day, the delegation visited Idogo in Yewa South, where they inspected additional limestone deposits under the guidance of Engr. Adebayo, a local expert who provided technical context on the site’s development and accessibility. Observations confirmed that the limestone in the area is both extensive and commercially viable, with strong potential for application in industries such as cement production, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, paints, and coatings.
At both locations, representative samples of limestone were systematically collected, labelled, and packaged according to standard geological field procedures. These samples will undergo comprehensive laboratory testing to determine their chemical and mineralogical composition, which will inform their suitability for diverse industrial applications.
The exercise further reinforced the Council’s commitment to data-driven resource development. It is recommended that the analytical results be integrated into the Ogun State raw materials database to support investment promotion, industrial policy formulation, and economic planning.
In her remarks, Engr. Abdulmalik emphasized the critical role of local support in ensuring the success of industrial initiatives tied to natural resource development. She highlighted the strategic importance of limestone to Nigeria’s industrial future and reiterated the Council’s dedication to fostering partnerships that align with national development goals. She stressed the need for sustained stakeholder engagement and policy incentives to attract investments in limestone-based industries.
The Ogun State Coordinator, Mr. Bola expressed gratitude to Oba Odekunle Adebari Thomas, Engr. Adebayo, and the people of Lapeleke and Idogo for their warm reception and cooperation.
