By -Adaora Adibe
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) Laboratory has achieved a significant milestone by securing accreditation from the Nigeria National Accreditation System (NiNAS), a move hailed as a breakthrough in promoting industrial standardization and quality assurance in Nigeria. The occasion of unveiling took place at the RMRDC headquarters on Thursday 12th December, 2024.
The accreditation signifies that the RMRDC Laboratory now meets globally recognized standards for testing and calibration in line with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requirements. This certification establishes the lab as a reliable and competent facility for analytical and research services, reinforcing Nigeria’s capacity to meet international quality standards in raw materials testing.
In his remarks, RMRDC Director-General, Professor Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, represented by the Director Competitiveness Strategy Implementation Unit (CSIU). Mr. Adamu M. Yaro described the achievement as a milestone for Nigeria’s industrial and economic landscape. He emphasized that the accreditation underscores the Council’s commitment to fostering innovation and industrial growth by providing credible and world-class analytical services.
While also expressing his appreciation to the team who made this achievement possible. He stated, “I want to express my gratitude to our team for their hard work, perseverance, and dedication to our shared vision of achieving 100% local sourcing and processing of raw materials by the manufacturing industry in Nigeria. The goal also includes increasing value addition to raw materials for the export market by 30%. To support these initiatives, I have approved the expansion of our accreditation scope to include additional areas of mineral and agro-raw material testing”.
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Prof. Ike-Muonso also thanked NiNAS for the recognition and for providing a framework adding that the ISO/IEC/17025 accreditation on Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) testing is significant to the Council’s journey towards excellence in lab services and looks forward to the future with Renewed Hope and commitment.
Earlier, presenting the welcome address at the event, Director, Research, and Demonstration Plant Complex (RDPC), Mr. John Obekpa who was represented by the Deputy Director, Engineering Fabrication Workshop Center of the Council, Mr. Abdulhamid Ali welcomed everyone. He said the celebration is a remarkable achievement, which is a testament to RMRDC’s unwavering commitment to excellence and standard. He acknowledged the tireless efforts of the RMRDC team, whose hard work paved the way for the accreditation.
The Director of RDPC also expressed gratitude to NiNAS for their rigorous evaluation process which validated the lab’s capabilities.
NiNAS Director-General, Mr. Celestine Okanya, while presenting the certificate congratulated RMRDC on the achievement, highlighting the importance of accreditation in ensuring precision, consistency, and trust in laboratory services.
“As you know, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council plays a pivotal role in driving Nigeria’s industrial transformation by promoting the development and optimal utilization of abundant raw materials. To build trust in the quality of our raw materials, the laboratory test results accompanying such material must be trusted. This accreditation provides the badge of trust in the lab results issued by GTIL-LABS and builds confidence in RMRDC clients”, he stated.
Mr. OKanya thanked the leadership of RMRDC for the vision and investment in quality infrastructure and commended the laboratory for their dedication to meeting the rigorous requirements of the accreditation process.
He urged RMRDC GTIL -LABS LIMITED to continue upholding the high standards, investing in continuous improvement through staff training, equipment maintenance, calibration, and participation in proficiency testing or inter-lab comparison, etc.
Presenting the vote of thanks, the Deputy Director, Process Equipment Maintenance Division, Engr. Obassi Ettu, who represented the Deputy Director, Laboratory Services Division (LSD), Mrs. Fortune Alabi, expressed profound gratitude to NiNAS for their rigorous evaluation process and for conferring the Council with prestigious accreditation and to the management of RMRDC and staff of the lab, whose dedication and expertise is instrumental in achieving this Accreditation.
The RMRDC Laboratory’s NiNAS accreditation is poised to elevate Nigeria’s industrial standards and is being celebrated as a strategic step towards achieving the nation’s vision of economic diversification and sustainable development.
