By Azi Stella and Adaora Adibe
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has commemorated its 38th anniversary with a renewed pledge to deepen local value addition, strengthen industrial growth, and reposition Nigeria as a global raw materials processing hub. The milestone celebration with the theme, “RMRDC @ 38 – Celebrating the Journey and Defining the next Frontier,”
held in the Council’s headquarters Abuja, featured a welcome address by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, who traced the historical evolution of RMRDC from its establishment on February 10, 1988, to its present role as Nigeria’s foremost agency for raw materials development and industrial resource utilization.
The DG commended the contributions of the patriots, from pioneer Director General/CEO, Dr. Mrs. Oluremi Aribisala, through the transformative tenures of Dr. Abdullahi Aliyu, Dr. Abubakar Abdullahi, Professor Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, and Professor Hussaini Doko Ibrahim. According to him, under their watch, RMRDC moved from concept to a formidable cornerstone of the economy
Prof. Ike-Muonso explained that the Council was created in response to Nigeria’s heavy dependence on imported industrial inputs following the boom in global oil prices in the 1980s.
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“For over three decades, RMRDC has transformed Nigeria’s raw materials from untapped potential into drivers of industrial growth. Our mission today is clear, to stop exporting wealth in its raw form and begin exporting value, jobs, and prosperity,” the DG stated.
While celebrating the Council’s achievements, he expressed concern over Nigeria’s continued dependence on imported raw materials, which he said costs the nation billions of dollars annually.
He stressed that nearly 70% of manufacturing inputs are still sourced from abroad, describing it as a major setback to youth employment and economic growth.
He highlighted the ongoing amendment of the RMRDC Act, which mandates a minimum of 30% value addition before export and discourages the importation of raw materials abundantly available in Nigeria.
“Since I assumed leadership in 2024, we have not just been managing an agency; we have been leading a revolution. We are rewriting the narrative of RMRDC’s past and future for Africa and the world. We are in full control of our destiny, and we are determined to replace outdated perceptions of “potential” with the reality of “power”., “he further stated.
The DG mentioned several milestones achieved under the Council’s reform drive, including the successful hosting of the first Africa Raw Materials Summit (ARMS) in May 2025, which brought together policymakers, researchers, investors, and industry leaders across the continent to promote African to promote raw material development. He announced that preparations are already underway for the second edition of the summit scheduled to hold later this year with theme, “From African feedstock to African factories.”
The Director-General also disclosed that RMRDC has attained ISO 9001:2015 certification, affirming its commitment to international quality standards in research coordination and institutional management.
He further stated that the Council has achieved full digitalization through an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and is set to launch the National Raw Materials and Products Statistical Information System (NRMPSIS), a platform designed to support investment and economic planning.
The anniversary lecture was delivered by the President African University of Science and Technology (AUST), and former Director General of RMRDC, Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, FAS, who reviewed the Council’s journey and emphasized the next frontier of development.
“RMRDC has laid a solid foundation in raw materials mapping and technology development. The future now lies in aggressive value addition, converting our resources into finished and semi-finished products that can compete globally,” Prof. Onwualu said. He applauded the current leadership of Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso for its bold reforms, digital transformation, and policy-driven approach to industrial development.
The event, organized by the Directorate of Corporate Affairs, featured spoken word performances, creative displays of past Directors-General, and presentations highlighting the Council’s achievements.
In her vote of thanks, the Director of the Directorate of Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Chinyere Nnamdi-Anum thanked the Director-General RMRDC, the guest lecturer, and all participants, urging stakeholders to continue projecting RMRDC globally as the Council reshapes Nigeria’s industrial narrative.
The celebration reaffirmed RMRDC’s commitment to unlocking Nigeria’s raw materials potential, reducing import dependence, and driving sustainable economic growth.
