Chukwuma Ngaha, Director and Spokesperson for the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), in this report, argues that re-purposing the country’s ubiquitous rich raw materials endowment especially with the ongoing efforts, impetus and drive of the Director General/CEO, Prof. Nnanyelugo Martin Ike-Muonso, from his call for international investors, the push for 30% value addition Bill at the National Assembly is perhaps the sure and shortest pathway to Nigeria’s industrialization…his analysis:
…As Nigeria continues to grapple with its economic challenges, the question of how to leverage its vast natural resources for sustainable growth remains a pressing one. At the heart of this dilemma lies a transformative yet underutilized approach: the circular economy.
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), led by its visionary DG/CEO, Prof. Ike-Muonso, has taken bold steps to promote circularity in raw materials exploitation and utilization—an effort that could redefine Nigeria’s industrial landscape and set the country on a path toward sustainable development and actualization of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hopes Agenda for the country.
In essence, according to experts, circular economy focuses on repurposing waste materials into new products, minimizing waste, and reducing the reliance on virgin critical and strategic raw materials and conservation of the environment.
This concept is particularly relevant to Nigeria, a nation rich in natural resources yet facing the economic burden of over-dependence on raw material exports and imported goods. By fostering a system where waste is seen not as a burden but as a valuable resource, the country can unlock new economic opportunities, create jobs, reduce environmental pollution, and—crucially—foster long-term, sustainable industrial growth.
In recent times, under the leadership of Prof. Ike-Muonso, the Council has been at the forefront of promoting the circular economy in Nigeria. One of the key highlights of this effort was the council’s fortnightly raw Materials 360 webinar series, that focused on Nigeria’s Waste Management Policy.
Experts during the webinar underscored several critical factors that hinder the success of recycling and waste management in the country, such as improper waste separation, a lack of awareness, and insufficient infrastructure. However, there was also an overwhelming sense of optimism about the potential for a thriving circular economy if these challenges are addressed.
And if you probe the system any further, you will discover that the RMRDC’s approach to circularity goes beyond the traditional focus on raw material extraction; it envisions a system where waste products can be repurposed as secondary raw materials, thereby reducing the need for imports and stimulating local manufacturing. For Nigeria, this could mean transforming discarded materials such as plastics, metals, and agricultural waste into valuable industrial inputs, contributing to the creation of new sectors and industries.
One compelling example of Nigeria’s untapped potential in the circular economy which is capable of attracting a win-win outcome for Nigeria in turning waste into wealth, according to Dr Nnyene Nkata, West of Scotland University, United Kingdom, Professor of Circular economy, is cassava, one of the country’s most important agricultural products.
According to UK professor, traditionally, cassava holds immense raw material potentially and has also been used for food products, but its full potential has yet to be realize, and that Cassava roots can be processed into a variety of products, including flour, starch, sweeteners, ethanol, and even biodegradable plastics. However, a significant portion of cassava remains underutilized, leaving both economic opportunities and environmental benefits on the table.
