The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), has announced a new policy framework aimed at achieving a minimum of 30% value addition on all exports of local raw materials from Nigeria.
The Deputy Director, Process Equipment Maintenance Division of the RMRDC, Obassi Ettu, said at the Business Session of the pre-9th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), in Lagos that the initiative was designed to boost the competitiveness of Nigeria’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and enhance the Nigerian industrial base.
He explained that the policy became necessary because many of Nigeria’s raw materials have the potential to yield multiple products, yet are often exported in their unprocessed form, depriving the country of significant economic value.
“Some of these materials can produce three or four end-products, but importers only pay for one. This is why we are insisting that at least 30% of value must be added locally before export,” Ettu explained.
He disclosed that the Council is deepening international collaboration through the ongoing partnership with China and focusing on capacity building and seedling development.
“We send our staff to China annually for training. It has been impactful. For instance, we have developed 13 varieties of sweet sorghum and are currently conducting toxicological tests to ensure their safety for human consumption,” he said.
Ettu expressed concern over Nigeria’s continued importation of raw materials despite its vast natural endowments, stressing that RMRDC now advises the Federal Government on which materials to restrict or substitute for local alternatives.
“We have adopted a policy of applied, commercialised research and development, R&D. Through reverse engineering, we’ve developed technologies for processing various raw materials locally,” he stated.
Describing RMRDC as a “child of circumstance”, born out of Nigeria’s past economic downturns, Ettu stated that the Council’s present mission is to harness and transform the country’s abundant raw materials into viable industrial inputs.
Looking ahead, he noted that RMRDC’s focus is on wealth creation through practical innovation.
“We are experimenting with tomato seeds that households can grow and sell to nearby restaurants. But for these initiatives to succeed, we need a system that ensures policy continuity to consolidate the gains we’ve made,” he added.
GIK/APA