The Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Nnanyelugo M. Ike-Muonso, has called for stronger collaboration between research institutions, polytechnics and the organised private sector to translate Nigeria’s research outputs into jobs, wealth creation and industrial growth, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s industrialisation and economic diversification agenda.

Ike-Muonso said Nigeria could accelerate industrialisation, strengthen local manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported products by building effective partnerships that connect research findings to industrial production and commercial opportunities.

He stressed that research should move beyond academic publications and laboratory discoveries to generate practical solutions that address the country’s industrial needs, create employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth.

The RMRDC boss said closer cooperation between researchers and businesses would help identify locally available raw materials, develop value-added products and strengthen domestic industries.

According to him, Nigeria’s ability to achieve sustainable industrial growth depends partly on how effectively it harnesses its research capacity and natural resources to support local production.

He noted that research institutions and polytechnics possess knowledge and technical expertise that could help industries overcome production challenges, improve product quality and develop innovative solutions, but such potential would remain underutilised without effective collaboration with the private sector.

Ike-Muonso called on organised private-sector operators to work more closely with research institutions in identifying industrial challenges, funding relevant research and commercialising successful innovations.

He also emphasised the need for research institutions to align their activities with market demands and the needs of manufacturers to ensure that research investments deliver measurable economic benefits.

The RMRDC director-general maintained that effective collaboration among government agencies, researchers, educational institutions and businesses could strengthen local supply chains, promote the use of indigenous raw materials and create opportunities for small and medium-scale enterprises.

He said the development of locally sourced raw materials into finished and intermediate products would help retain more value within the Nigerian economy, while reducing pressure on foreign exchange arising from imports.

The initiative also aligns with the broader objective of economic diversification, as greater investment in local research and manufacturing could expand economic opportunities beyond the traditional dependence on crude oil.

Ike-Muonso urged stakeholders to adopt a coordinated approach that would make research a practical instrument for industrial development, employment generation and wealth creation.

He said stronger research-industry partnerships would be essential to unlocking Nigeria’s industrial potential and building a more productive, competitive and self-reliant economy.