RMRDC Director-General, Professor Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, speaking on Nigeria’s industrialisation drive and the need to strengthen local raw materials utilisation in Abuja.
Nigeria is intensifying efforts to reduce dependence on imported industrial inputs by strengthening the use of local raw materials, in a push critical to industrial growth and economic diversification.
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) says expanding value addition and import substitution is central to building a more resilient manufacturing sector and improving the competitiveness of local industries.
Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Professor Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, stated this at the RMRDC in Abuja, while assessing the impact of the Federal Government’s economic and industrial policies on the manufacturing sector..
He said the policy direction aligns with the Council’s mandate to develop and promote the sustainable use of Nigeria’s raw material resources, while reducing reliance on imported industrial inputs.
According to him, the increased focus on Made-in-Nigeria products is gradually stimulating industrial activity as manufacturers turn to locally sourced alternatives.
The RMRDC said it has stepped up partnerships with industries to support research, improve value addition, and enhance resource beneficiation across key sectors.
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Professor Ike-Muonso highlighted the Council’s Nationwide Industrial Cluster Programme, which spans all 774 local government areas, as a major intervention aimed at turning communities into production hubs for job creation and industrial growth.
He said the initiative supports the government’s broader economic ambition of building a one-trillion-dollar economy and improving living standards through productive investment.
The RMRDC boss also pointed to the “Nigeria First Policy,” which prioritises local goods, services, and indigenous contractors in public procurement, describing it as key to strengthening domestic production and reducing capital flight.
He said sustained investment in local industries and raw materials development remains essential to building a competitive economy capable of generating jobs and driving inclusive growth.
The Council reaffirmed its commitment to working with government agencies, researchers, and the private sector to advance Nigeria’s industrial development agenda.
Professor Ike-Muonso urged stakeholders to prioritise local sourcing, innovation, and value addition as part of efforts to deepen Nigeria’s industrial base and reduce import dependency.
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