Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji has tasked the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) on creating more outcomes and products from its research and innovative activities.
Nnaji stated this at the courtesy visit to RMRDC office in Lagos at the weekend. He said that raw material is one of the most important research centers we have in Nigeria and one of the most important, saying, ‘If we anchor on what we can find in raw material, we can be sure that Nigeria will move miles ahead.’
He expressed delight over the array of pilot plants established by the Council to demonstrate the conversion and commercial viability of Research and Development (R&D) outcomes into industrial inputs and products.
He said these are a testament to the Council’s commitment to expanding the frontiers of research, development, and innovation in Nigeria in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He added that the government is trying to set up a research and development fund for Centres like so that Centers like RMRDC can have funds to develop most of these researches for the nation development.
He pointed out that “an investor from Canada will be setting a float glass factory in the country, after seeing that the country is rich in Caustic soda acts and this is an important element of making glass.
“With Nigeria having Caustic soda acts material and the machine that can convert limestone to caustic soda and to precipitate the calcium carbonate, the investor has signed an agreement to set up a float glass factory here in Nigeria.”
He noted that with this kind of factory, we can be sure we may not need to import glasses again and Nigeria will be saving foreign exchange, which will reduce the pressure on our naira.
The minister assured the council of the ministry’s support and cooperation in advancing its noble mission, saying that “we look forward to working closely with you to ensure Nigeria becomes a hub of innovation and a leader in raw materials development in Africa and globally.”
The director of Industrial Plant and Equipment Design and Development, Emmanuel Kwaya said that the Council has assiduously worked over the years with stakeholders to increase manufacturers’ access to both basic and secondary raw materials.
He said the ministry has been able to attract a glass manufacturing company to invest in Nigeria, saying that the country has all the raw materials for glassmaking.
He also said that the Council needs to be well funded as the minister has said to be able to carry out all the research activities, develop projects, innovations among others.
He noted that “this will impact on the factories in bringing them back to full operations, so that the economy activities in this country can pick up and we will be able to preserve foreign exchange instead of importing all our raw materials.
“Right now, Nigeria is a consumer nation, we are yet to be a producing nation and this is the main reason there is a pressure on the naira.”
