The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to industrialisation, economic diversification, and local content development, describing the President’s economic policies as critical drivers of the Council’s mandate and Nigeria’s industrial transformation agenda.
Director General of the council, Professor Ike-Muonso, stated this in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital, stressing that the Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA) of President Tinubu’s administration has created a conducive environment for strengthening Nigeria’s raw materials value chain development, encouraging local production, promoting import substitution, and enhancing the competitiveness of indigenous industries.
According to the DG, the President’s vision for a resilient and productive economy resonates strongly with the core mandate of the RMRDC.
The administration’s emphasis on economic self-reliance, growth of the manufacturing sector, and value addition aligns directly with the Council’s statutory responsibility of promoting the development, utilisation, and sustainable development of Nigeria’s abundant raw material resources.
He noted that several policy initiatives introduced by the Federal Government have reinforced the importance of local sourcing of industrial inputs and have encouraged greater investment in research, innovation, and technology-driven industrial development.
He further emphasised that the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting Made-in-Nigeria products and strengthening the domestic value chain is yielding positive results across key sectors of the economy.
Professor Ike-Muonso explained that the Council has intensified efforts to support industries in identifying locally available alternatives to imported raw materials while facilitating research partnerships aimed at enhancing value addition and resource beneficiation.
Prof Ike-Muonso highlighted ongoing RMRDC initiatives designed to drive industrial revolution, economic diversification, stimulate investment, support small and medium-scale enterprises through research-based solutions and industrial linkages for sustainable national development.
One of such initiative was the launch of a Nationwide Industrial Cluster programme across 774 local government areas of the country.
The programme aims to transform every local government into an industrial hub with clusters that will stimulate production and economic activities and is designed to involve stakeholders across various sectors of the economy.
The DG stressed that the project aligns with the economic transformation agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, especially in the drive towards achieving a one trillion-dollar economy, job creation and improved living standards for Nigerians.
He also acknowledged the President’s economic initiative, “Nigeria First Policy” mandating all federal government ministries to prioritise locally made products, services, and indigenous contractors in all government procurements, as being an essential pillar for sustainable economic growth.
According to him, investments in Nigeria remain indispensable for building a competitive industrial economy capable of generating employment, boosting the domestic economy, and fostering inclusive national development.
The RMRDC boss reiterated the Council’s commitment to working closely with relevant government agencies, the private sector, research institutions, and development partners to advance the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda through strategic raw materials development initiatives.
