By-Adaora Adibe
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) is set to collaborate with the Federal University of Health Science, Otukpo (FUHSO), Benue State to advance pharmaceutical research and promote industrial development in the utilization of local raw material resources.
This announcement was made during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the university, led by its Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stephen Abah, to the RMRDC headquarters in Abuja. The meeting underscored the need to explore innovative ways of converting agricultural and industrial waste into valuable products to support Nigeria’s economic growth.
Speaking during the visit, Professor Abah emphasized the potential for turning the abundant waste resources in Benue State, such as cassava cyanide, into economically viable products. He highlighted the state’s rich agricultural output and noted the environmental and economic challenges posed by waste. “In Benue State, we are majorly an agrarian community. Cassava is huge but they are a lot of waste. We believe if we are able to convert the waste into animal food production it will improve the scarce animal feed. This partnership with RMRDC offers an opportunity to change that narrative,” he said.
Prof. Abah also pleaded with the Council to consider establishing an Innovation Hub in the University to promote raw materials development.
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The Director-General of RMRDC, Professor Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, welcomed the University’s commitment to innovative research and reaffirmed the council’s readiness to support the project. He said that it aligns with RMRDC’s mandate to promote the utilization of local raw materials for industrial growth. He observed that turning waste into wealth is a key strategy for sustainable economic development.
Prof. Ike-Muonso stated that the Council is focused on market-driven research and development, which are product-oriented. He said the council can co-own the patent and work towards the commercialization of the products. He informed the University that the Council can only establish an innovation hub for them if the capacity is available.
Earlier, the Director of the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Department (CPD), Mr. Kolleri Abubakar, highlighted the council’s history of successful collaborations with Nigerian universities and TETFUND, etc, in raw material development. He cited notable achievements such as the development of Tacca starch from cassava, tuberculosis test kits, and the promotion of secondary raw materials derived from waste.
Adding to the discussion, the Director, Directorate of National Competitiveness Strategy & Special Programmes (NCS/SP), Mr. Adamu Yaro, outlined the council’s accomplishments in pharmaceutical research, including the production of Artemisia tea, a key ingredient in malaria treatment. He stressed that the council’s focus is on Indigenous raw materials development, which has led to finding alternative sources of animal feed using cassava waste.
The Technical Adviser to the DG, Dr. Chi Ihionu observed that cassava Cyanide a byproduct of cassava is toxic but could however be converted for usefulness and avoid polluting the environment. According to her, “NAFDAC is interested in patenting a lot of Indigenous medical consumables and there are available off-takers once the university can work and develop the value propositions”.
The collaboration aims to convert cassava waste, particularly cyanide, into useful products like animal feeds and other industrial materials. By doing so, the initiative seeks to reduce waste, minimize environmental pollution, and create new value chains for industrial development.
Both parties expressed optimism about the impact of the partnership on job creation, environmental sustainability, etc. Implementation plans and timelines for the project are expected to be finalized soon.
