Industrialisation: RMRDC Pursues Legislation to Stop Export of Raw Materials Without 30% Value Addition

Dike Onuamaeze

The Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Professor Nnanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso, has announced that the council is pursuing a legal framework that should make the attainment of a minimum of 30 per cent value addition a compulsory requirement for exportation of raw materials from Nigeria.  
Ike-Muonso made this declaration yesterday in Lagos during a “One-Day Interactive Session with Members of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN)” that was meant to strengthen the working relationship between the council and MAN.

He said: “Today, I am pleased to announce several groundbreaking initiatives that will position Nigeria as a leader in industrial innovation and self-reliance.
“First, we are making significant strides in policy reform by sponsoring a transformative bill in the National Assembly.

“This legislation will mandate a minimum of 30 per cent value addition to all raw materials before export.
“This bold move will protect our natural resources and catalyse domestic processing capabilities, creating jobs and fostering industrial growth.
“This bill has already gone through the first reading, and we expect it to pass through the next reading, hopefully by next week.”

Ike-Muonso also declared that the revival of the Multi-disciplinary Task Force (MTF) for the industrial sector represented a watershed moment in the council’s collective effort to transform Nigeria’s manufacturing landscape.
The MTF is a committee made up of the chairmen and secretaries of 10 industrial sectoral groups of MAN, experts and RMRDC that would provide adequate information of the needs of the Nigerian industrial sector, especially in the area of raw material requirements.

He said: “The MTF’s comprehensive survey and data collection across the 10 sectoral groups of MAN provides the crucial foundation for implementing the 30 per cent value addition requirement on raw materials before export.
“The MTF will identify areas requiring value addition capability enhancement and provides actionable insights for manufacturers to upgrade their processing capabilities through its detailed mapping of industrial capabilities, processing facilities, and technological gaps.

“The task force’s findings help pinpoint which sectors require targeted support, technological intervention, or capacity building to achieve the 30 per cent threshold.
“Furthermore, by documenting current value-addition practices and potential across different industries, the MTF will enable RMRDC to develop sector-specific strategies and support mechanisms to help manufacturers meet this new export requirement while enhancing their competitiveness in global markets.

“This systematic approach ensures that the 30 per cent value addition policy is not just an aspiration but an achievable target backed by data-driven insights and practical implementation strategies.”
He also announced that the RMRDC has signed contracts to establish 17 advanced research laboratories nationwide.

“These facilities will be equipped with cutting-edge technology for advanced raw material research, testing, and analysis, enabling us to maintain international quality standards while developing local alternatives to imported materials.
“Complementing these laboratories, we are also establishing two advanced machine development workshops, strengthening our capacity for indigenous technology development,” he said.
Ike-Muonso added that the council is also expanding its collaboration with tertiary institutions and academic centres of excellence.

“This partnership will bridge the gap between research and industry, ensuring that our academic outputs directly address the practical needs of manufacturers,” he said.
The Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, in his welcome remarks, said that this interactive session is remarkable for three reasons.

“First, it is a homecoming for the director general of RMRDC who has worked with and supported MAN, and by extension manufacturers in different capacities.  
“The second stems from the fact that it is a first of its kind that the leadership of RMRDC is making the process of developing its strategic plan and initiatives inclusive.

“The third being that it is another opportunity to deepen existing relationship/collaboration between MAN and RMRDC, as it holds enormous potential for scaling up productivity, raw materials development and tilization in Nigeria,” Ajayi-Kadir said.
He also declared that MAN is committed to initiatives that would drive the sustainable growth and competitiveness of the manufacturing sector.
“We are resolute in our corporate goal of facilitating the creation of a conducive manufacturing environment in Nigeria.

“We do this through continuous engagements and advocacy aimed at finding lasting solutions to the challenges confronting manufacturers, while exploring opportunities that promote manufacturing resilience and support the sectoral growth.
“Clearly, the focus of this interactive session aligns perfectly with these goals, as it provides an invaluable platform for direct engagement with the RMRDC leadership on improving local sourcing of raw materials for manufacturers.
“As you already know, the RMRDC is at the forefront of promoting raw materials development and utilization in Nigeria,” Ajayi-Kadir said.