By Adaora Adibe
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has launched the Raw Materials Innovation Challenge, a new initiative designed to promote research development, build staff capacity, and strengthen innovation within the Council.
The unveiling ceremony took place on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the RMRDC headquarters in Abuja. The Director-General of the Council, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, described the challenge as a platform for harnessing quality ideas capable of transforming Nigeria’s research ecosystem.
He emphasized that the competition is open to all staff members, including those in state offices, and urged heads of departments and units to encourage their staff to participate. According to him, the initiative will not only generate fresh ideas but also groom emerging leaders.
“My desire is to build great and enthusiastic staff members into stars in the research ecosystem,” the DG stated.
You Might AlsoLike
Prof. Ike-Muonso also commended the committee behind the project, charging them to ensure fairness, transparency, integrity, and justice in the assessment of entries.
Speaking at the event, the Chairperson of the Raw Materials Innovation Challenge, Overseeing Director, Research Demonstration Plant Complex (RDPC) Dr. Fausta Ogbuefi Chima, noted that the committee was inaugurated on September 2, 2025, and the unveiling officially signaled the commencement of its assignment. She explained that the challenge was designed to encourage staff members to become inventors both within and beyond.
Dr. Chima further stressed that stringent evaluation criteria have been put in place to ensure credibility of the process, with emphasis on originality, creativity, technical feasibility, potential impact, scalability, and economic viability.
She outlined the focus areas of the challenge to include:
- Design and process improvement
- Innovation and tech start-ups in raw materials sourcing and delivery
- Advisory on raw materials development and utilization
- Blockchain and e-commerce solutions for raw materials use
- Value chain analysis and management
- Innovative approaches to sustainability within circular economy frameworks
She revealed that winners of the challenge will not only receive cash awards but also mentorship support to actualize their projects, positioning them for opportunities on global innovation stages. According to her, the timeline for the challenge is as follow;
Submission deadline – September 30, 2025; evaluation and shortlisting – October 7, 2025 and final presentation and awards – October 15, 2025
In his remarks, committee member Prof. John Uket explained that the program aligns with the DG’s agenda of repositioning RMRDC as a hub for re-engineering innovation in raw materials research and development. He recalled that the Office of the Head of Service introduced the innovation challenge across government agencies in 2020, adding that RMRDC is now keying into that vision to strengthen industrial research and develop intellectual property assets.
Giving the vote of thanks, the Deputy Director, Plant and Equipment Maintenance Division, Engr. Ettu Obassi expressed gratitude to the DG for the opportunity and assured that the committee would ensure inclusiveness in the process. He urged staff members to fully embrace the initiative and showcase their expertise.
With this innovation challenge, RMRDC joins the growing number of agencies using in-house creativity to retool Nigeria’s research ecosystem and fast-track industrial development.
