By Nafisat Busari
The Niger State Coordinating Office of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has initiated a strategic collaboration with Nature’s Sleek, a Minna-based enterprise, to promote skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development among youths.
The move, which aligns with the Council’s mandate to foster the development and optimal utilization of Nigeria’s raw materials, was disclosed during a meeting held at the Technology Incubation Centre, Minna, Niger State.
Speaking at the meeting, the Niger State Coordinator of RMRDC, represented by Senior Scientific Officer, Mustapha Nma Muhammad, reiterated the Council’s commitment to partnering with relevant organizations to drive youth empowerment programmes. He noted that one of the core objectives of the Council is to stimulate job creation through the development and utilization of local raw materials.
According to him, Nigeria is endowed with abundant natural resources that remain underutilized, adding that Niger State is particularly rich in shea nuts. He explained that the proposed programme is designed to expose students to practical skills, thereby reducing overdependence on white-collar jobs after graduation.
In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Nature’s Sleek, Mrs. Fatimah Zarah Uthman, welcomed the RMRDC team and commended the Council’s efforts in promoting raw materials development and supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which she described as critical drivers of industrial and economic growth.
She revealed plans to establish a shea products display centre aimed at showcasing various grades of shea butter and creating awareness about quality standards required for export.
Mrs. Uthman also demonstrated a sample of processed shea butter that failed to meet export standards, attributing the shortcomings to errors during processing. She noted that despite numerous trainings provided to actors within the shea value chain, challenges persist due to negligence, ultimately affecting product quality.
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The RMRDC delegation, which included Mustapha Nma Muhammad, Information Officer I, Nafisat Busari, and Planning Officer I, Mrs. Nabila Aliyu Usman, later toured the company’s production facility.
The meeting provided an avenue for both parties to explore areas of collaboration under the Council’s “Catch Them Young Programme,” with a focus on enhancing skills acquisition and promoting value addition in the processing of shea nuts into butter and cosmetic products.
