RMRDC Director-General, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, addressing stakeholders on the need for local raw material processing and industrial development in Abuja.
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has called for increased investment in local raw material processing, stressing that value addition remains critical to Nigeria’s industrial transformation and economic competitiveness.
Director-General of RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, made the call during a stakeholders engagement forum in Abuja, where he urged government institutions, private investors, and development partners to align with efforts aimed at reducing the country’s dependence on imported industrial inputs.
Prof. Ike-Muonso said Nigeria must move beyond exporting raw materials in their raw state and focus on domestic processing to create jobs, retain wealth, and strengthen industrial development.
He noted that despite the country’s abundant natural resources, many manufacturers still rely heavily on imported raw materials, a situation he described as unsustainable.
According to him, inadequate funding for research, weak collaboration between research institutions and manufacturers, and policy inconsistencies have slowed industrial growth and limited local value addition.
The RMRDC boss also advocated stronger legislation to discourage the export of unprocessed minerals, agricultural products, and other raw materials.
“If we continue to export our lithium, shea butter, and kaolin in raw form, we are exporting jobs and wealth,” he said.
Prof. Ike-Muonso highlighted the Council’s efforts to support industrial development through the Nigeria Information Statistical System for Raw Materials and Products (NISSRAMP), a database designed to improve access to critical raw materials data and support investment decisions.
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Stakeholders at the forum pledged to deepen collaboration with RMRDC and increase the use of locally sourced inputs, provided quality standards and supply consistency are maintained.
The Council reaffirmed its commitment to supporting manufacturers through research, technical assistance, and initiatives aimed at reducing production costs and strengthening local supply chains.
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