RMRDC DG, Ike-Muonso hasps on unlocking Nigeria, Africa’s vast raw material potentials 

 By, Chinelo Kodilichukwu, Enugu 

The director general of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council’s, RMRDC, Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso has vowed to 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.

Ike-Muonso, made this known during the organization’s special day at the ongoing 36th Enugu international trade fair.

The DG, represented by the director in charge of Commercialization,  Muktar Umar, 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.

He revealed that the organization has concluded plans to organize the African Raw Materials Summit in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, between 20th to 22nd May 2025.

 “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 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 State, historically referred to as the “Coal City,” holds a strategic position in Nigeria’s raw materials landscape. 

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“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” he stressed.

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.

In his remark, the president of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture ECCIMA, Odeiga Jideonwo, said South East Nigeria is vastly blessed with natural resources and very fertile agrarian land, which makes the region a veritable area for achieving RMRDC mandate.

He said “let me therefore, quickly request that RMRDC, should apply every possible technic 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”

Also, the Anambra state Coordinator of the organization, Arinze Uche Nwosu, gave an overview of its operations, including it’s mandate, which her Enugu state counterpart, Mrs. Henrietta Nkem Udeh, buttress further,  calling on Nigeria’s  particularly industrialist to always look inward in sourcing raw materials.