By Adaora Adibe and Nafisat Abdulrahman
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has emphasized the importance of innovation, value addition, and the utilization of local raw materials in driving Nigeria’s industrial development during its fortnightly Lecture Series held at the Council’s Auditorium, Maitama, Abuja.
The programme, which was broadcast via Zoom, attracted participation from the Council’s management team, staff members across its departments, and a delegation from the Tropics Derma Research and Training Institute (TDRTI). The edition featured insightful presentations on Chemical Process Intensification (CPI) and the emerging opportunities for Nigerian raw materials in the cosmetics and skincare industry.
Delivering the first presentation titled “Chemical Process Intensification: Unlocking Efficiency in Nigeria’s Raw Materials Utilization,” the Director, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Department (RMRDC), Mr. Abubakar S. Kollere, described Chemical Process Intensification as a transformative industrial strategy with the potential to drive economic growth, enhance energy efficiency, minimize waste generation, and promote value addition across critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.
According to Kollere, Nigeria is richly endowed with diverse raw material resources, including agricultural produce, solid minerals, petroleum derivatives, forest products, marine resources, and industrial chemicals. However, he noted that the country continues to grapple with challenges associated with the effective processing and industrial utilization of these resources, thereby limiting their full economic potential.
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Mr. Kollere explained that CPI technologies offer opportunities for achieving higher productivity with lower energy consumption, reduced capital costs, improved safety, and faster processing times. He identified agro-processing, petrochemicals, solid minerals, and pharmaceutical manufacturing as strategic sectors in which intensified processing technologies could significantly improve competitiveness and productivity.
He further noted that the adoption of CPI could support import substitution, create jobs, improve energy efficiency, strengthen local manufacturing capacity, and enhance Nigeria’s position in regional and global value chains.
“RMRDC has played a strategic role in promoting CPI adoption through research and development, standards development, industry linkages, capacity building, demonstration projects, and policy advocacy,” he noted.
In the second presentation titled “Nigerian Raw Materials: A Catalyst for the African Cosmetics and Skincare Industry,” Tropical Skincare Scientist, Medical Esthetician, and Institutional Architect, Dr. Edith F. Gibson, highlighted the enormous opportunities available in leveraging Nigeria’s raw material resources to build a sustainable skincare and cosmetics industry tailored to African skin.
Dr Gibson explained that, through a collaboration among TDRTI, the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, and RMRDC, extensive skin health research was conducted nationwide to better understand Nigerians’ skincare needs.
She disclosed that the nationwide study covered all 36 states and involved the collection of more than 40,000 skin samples, leading to the identification of four major skin concerns among Nigerians: hyperpigmentation, surface dehydration, weak skin elasticity, and reactive sebaceous activity.
According to her, the findings formed the scientific basis for the development of Tropixa, a science-led skincare product range formulated using Nigerian raw materials and designed specifically for African skin.
She noted that the initiative demonstrates how research, innovation, and local raw material utilization can be translated into commercially viable products capable of addressing public health concerns while creating economic opportunities.
Dr. Gibson further emphasized the need for continued collaboration among research institutions, industry players, and government agencies to establish a robust skincare ecosystem driven by local content, scientific research, and value addition.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of RMRDC, Professor Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, lauded the guest lecturers for their outstanding contributions to research, innovation, and industrial development. He described the Director of the Council’s Chemical and Pharmaceutical Department, Mr. Abubakar S. Kollere, as a seasoned professional with extensive expertise in industrial processes, chemical engineering, and raw materials development.
Professor Ike-Muonso also acknowledged Dr. Edith F. Gibson, a Tropical Skincare Scientist, as an internationally acclaimed expert whose groundbreaking work in skincare research and product innovation has earned global recognition.
The Director-General urged participants to maximize the opportunity provided by the lecture series by paying close attention to the presentations, engaging actively in the discussions, and leveraging the insights shared to enhance their professional knowledge and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s industrial and economic development.
The presentations elicited active participation from attendees, who engaged the resource persons in robust discussions through insightful comments, observations, and questions. Participants sought further clarification on key issues raised during the lectures, particularly on the application of Chemical Process Intensification in industrial production and the opportunities for leveraging Nigeria’s abundant raw materials in the cosmetics and skincare industry. The interactive session provided a platform for knowledge exchange and enriched participants’ understanding of the subjects discussed.
The event concluded on a warm note with a vote of thanks delivered by the Assistant Director, Directorate of Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Stella Azi, who expressed appreciation to the guest lecturers, management, staff, and all participants for their valuable contributions and active engagement in the programme.
