By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu
To foster regional and continental collaboration, Nigeria’s Raw Materials Research and Development Council’s (RMRDC) has hinted that it has concluded plans to organize the African Raw Materials Summit in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, from May 20-22 this year.
“This landmark summit will bring together policy makers, investors, industry leaders, and experts from across Africa and beyond to explore strategies for unlocking Africa’s vast raw materials potential and advancing industrial growth through sustainable value addition,” the body stated.
Director General/Chief Executive Officer (DG/CEO), RMRDC, Professor Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, disclosed this during the organization’s Special Day at the ongoing 36th Enugu International Trade Fair.
“We are using this opportunity to formally invite all stakeholders present here to participate in this critical conversation on Africa’s industrialization through raw materials development,” he said.
The DG, who was represented by the Deputy Director in charge of R&D Commercialization, Alhaji Umar Mukthar, urged stakeholders to seize the opportunity of the organization’s presence at the fair to interact with its team and explore potential areas for partnership, investment, and innovation.
Professor Ike-Muonso said: “Together, we can unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s raw materials for sustainable development and economic diversification.
“The theme of our participation this year is centered on ‘Developing Nigeria’s Industrial Sector/SMEs for Economic Advancement and Global Recognition’.
“In alignment with this, the Council is exhibiting a wide range of Nigeria’s abundant raw materials -spanning agricultural, mineral, and industrial resources – with a special emphasis on those sourced from Enugu State and the South-East region.
“Enugu, historically referred to as the ‘Coal City’, holds a strategic position in Nigeria’s raw materials landscape.
“The state is richly endowed with mineral resources such as coal, kaolin, gypsum, ironstone, and limestone, as well as agricultural commodities like cassava, palm produce, ginger, oil bean, and various tropical fruits and herbs with high industrial relevance.
“The RMRDC has consistently worked to identify, document, and promote the development and utilization of these resources for value addition and job creation.
“In this regard, I am pleased to highlight some of the strategic roles of raw materials development in economic growth.
“Through our State Coordinating Office, the Council has championed strategic initiatives including: Promoting Research and Development (R&D) for Raw Material Processing; we are actively supporting industries in adopting cutting-edge technologies for efficient resource utilization.”
He further hinted that the Council is equally “facilitating Industrial Linkages, by bridging the gap between researchers, raw material producers, and industries, we aim to foster a more integrated and productive industrial ecosystem.”
It also encourages local content development, he disclosed, stressing that “our focus remains on reducing dependence on imported raw materials by advocating for the use of locally available alternatives in manufacturing sector.”
“Our Council continues to drive initiatives that support start-ups, small, medium, and large-scale enterprises in accessing locally sourced raw materials, research outputs, and industrial innovations. We are working closely with stakeholders across various sectors to: Develop pilot plants and processing facilities for raw material beneficiation,” he added.
In his remark, president of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Sir Odeiga Jideonwo, said South-East Nigeria is vastly blessed with natural resources and very fertile agrarian land, which make it a veritable area for achieving RMRDC’s mandate.
He said: “Let me therefore, quickly request that RMRDC should apply every possible technique as well as partner with organizations like ECCIMA, MAN etc to ensure that the volume of raw materials produced from the region is increased consistently, as this will also impact positively on the GDP of the entire South East.”
Anambra State Coordinator of RMRDC, Dr. Uche Arinze Nwosu, gave an overview of the Council’s operations, including its mandate, which her Enugu State counterpart, Engr. Henrietta Ude, buttressed further, calling on industrialists to always look inward in sourcing raw materials.
