Nigeria has been touted to be on the verge of a transformative industrial era driven by innovation, indigenous technology and the resourcefulness of its people.
This was disclosed by the director-general of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, while speaking at the Investors Forum on the Commercialisation of Indigenous Technologies held at the Council’s Research and Demonstration Plant Complex (RDPC) in Abuja.
Ike-Muonso said the country was shifting from being a mere exporter of raw materials to becoming a producer of value-added goods.
The event brought together a broad range of stakeholders, including industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, and potential investors. Its primary aim was to showcase viable indigenous technologies developed by the council and promote their large-scale commercial adoption across Nigeria’s industrial landscape.
Reflecting on the country’s industrial journey, the DG noted that five decades ago, the idea of an industrialised Nigeria seemed like a distant dream, largely obstructed by overdependence on primary commodities and a weak manufacturing base. He said the current momentum, however, signals a shift toward a future anchored on local ingenuity, scientific breakthroughs and practical innovation. He emphasised that the council has been unwavering in its mission to harness the nation’s vast raw material base and facilitate sustainable industrial growth through research and development.
Ike-Muonso announced that several technologies developed by the council have now reached a stage where they are ready to be commercialised. He described the forum not just as a platform to exhibit successful pilot projects but as a direct call to action, encouraging industrialists and investors to engage actively with RMRDC experts, observe live demonstrations, and assess the commercial value of these innovations. He stated that the council was open to private-sector collaboration, technical partnerships and joint ventures aimed at bringing these technologies to commercial maturity and potentially global scale.
He also drew attention to the significance of the 30 per cent Value Addition Bill, which has passed the Senate and is awaiting concurrence in the House of Representatives. The bill, once enacted, is expected to transform the raw materials ecosystem by mandating increased value addition across sectors, thereby creating jobs, stimulating industrial growth and reducing the country’s dependence on imported finished products.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, director of the investment promotion and consultancy services department and head of the RDPC, Adamu Mohammed reiterated the importance of the council’s research and development efforts. He urged participants to take a serious interest in the technologies being presented and to consider their technical soundness and economic potential for national development.
The event also featured several technical presentations. Dr. Mohammed Buga, in his paper titled “Commercialisation of Research and Development Outputs,” emphasised that research represents a process of discovery and problem-solving, while commercialisation serves as a critical link between innovation and industry. He noted that Nigeria’s ability to benefit from its innovations depends largely on how well the Triple Helix model – connecting academia, industry and government – is implemented.
Dr. Obekpa, in another presentation titled “Unlocking Wealth from Within: Commercialising Indigenous Technologies for Raw Materials Processing in Nigeria,” highlighted the vast and often overlooked potential within Nigeria’s R&D institutions. He cited examples from agencies such as RMRDC, FIIRO, NASENI, PRODA, NCAM and various polytechnics that have developed a wide range of ready-to-market technologies across sectors, including energy, food processing, ceramics and pharmaceuticals. He explained that while innovation is flourishing, weak policy support and limited investment have hindered many of these solutions from achieving large-scale impact.
The forum also provided an opportunity for representatives from critical organisations such as NACCIMA, NEXIM Bank, NEPC and the MSME community to weigh in. Many praised RMRDC’s accomplishments and called for more targeted communication efforts to raise public awareness and attract further investment into the council’s work.
In his remarks, director of corporate affairs, Chukwuma Ngaha reaffirmed the council’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s journey towards industrial transformation. He stated that under the leadership of Ike-Muonso, the council had not left any stone unturned in initiating strategic programmes that would strengthen the country’s raw materials value chains.
The forum ended with a guided tour of the RDPC’s facilities, during which participants were visibly impressed by the scale, sophistication and functionality of the machinery and processes developed by the council. Many of them commended RMRDC for creating such a vital centre of industrial excellence and urged the government to provide more robust support to accelerate the adoption of these homegrown innovations.
A vote of thanks was delivered by the deputy director of the RDPC, Muktar, who expressed appreciation to all participants and reiterated the Council’s openness to future collaborations. The event concluded on a hopeful note, with renewed optimism that Nigeria’s path to sustainable industrialisation lies within reach, powered by its homegrown technologies and relentless spirit of innovation.
