RMRDC plans raw materials testing centres across six geopolitical zones

The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has unveiled plans to establish Raw Materials Testing and Analysis Centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to reduce the nation’s reliance on foreign laboratories for product testing and certification.

Director-General of RMRDC, Professor Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, disclosed this during the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the council and the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) in Abuja.

He explained that the initiative would begin with a flagship testing and analysis centre located within the AUST campus, designed to provide world-class facilities for testing agricultural and mineral raw materials locally.

“With the Abuja testing and analysis centre, industries will no longer need to send raw materials abroad for quality verification,” Ike-Muonso said. “Our goal is to make Nigeria self-sufficient in raw materials testing and strengthen our capacity for innovation, manufacturing, and export.”

He added that the Abuja facility would serve as a pilot project, with similar centres to be established across all six geopolitical zones to ensure nationwide accessibility for industries.

According to him, the centre will also support postgraduate training and research in fields such as materials science, industrial chemistry, mineral processing, and sustainable manufacturing.

“Our vision is to build a network of testing and analysis centres that will make Nigeria the hub for raw materials research, innovation, and value addition in Africa,” the RMRDC boss stated.

AUST President, Professor Peter Onwualu, described the collaboration as a strategic step toward industrial self-reliance and sustainable development.

He said the partnership, built on the “triple helix” model of government, academia, and industry collaboration, would enhance innovation, research, and capacity building for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), helping them meet international quality standards and boost competitiveness.