By Uloma Peace Okorie
Professor Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), has earned a double honour from Aljazirah Media Group, which recognised him as Public Servant of the Year 2024/2025 and named the Council Government Agency of the Year 2024/2025.
The recognition celebrates Prof. Ike-Muonso’s leadership and the Council’s contributions to Nigeria’s industrial development, particularly its drive to promote local raw materials processing, value addition, innovation and economic growth.
The awards were formally presented at the RMRDC headquarters in Abuja on September 17, 2026, by a delegation led by the Group Chief Executive Officer of Aljazirah Media Group, Dr. Etuk Bassey Williams.
A LEADER DRIVING INDUSTRIAL TRANSFORMATION
Under Prof. Ike-Muonso’s leadership, the RMRDC has intensified efforts to transform Nigeria’s abundant natural resources into valuable industrial inputs, strengthen local manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported raw materials.
Aljazirah Media Group commended the Director-General for promoting institutional reforms, improving operational efficiency and advancing a strategic shift from exporting unprocessed raw materials to domestic processing and commercial innovation.
The media organisation also highlighted the Council’s digital transformation, including the deployment of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platforms to improve administrative coordination, transparency and operational efficiency.
DIGITAL INNOVATION TO SUPPORT INDUSTRIAL GROWTH
Another major achievement highlighted was the introduction of the Nigeria Raw Materials Information Management System, which provides information on raw materials availability, local production capacity, processing opportunities and industrial applications.
The platform is designed to support investors, manufacturers, researchers and policymakers in making informed decisions that can strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base.
The recognition also reflects the Council’s ongoing efforts to promote research commercialisation, technology adoption, pilot plants and stronger partnerships with industries and research institutions.
IKE-MUONSO: AWARD BELONGS TO THE ENTIRE RMRDC TEAM
Reacting to the honour, Prof. Ike-Muonso expressed appreciation to Aljazirah Media Group, describing the awards as a recognition of the collective contributions of the Council’s management, staff and stakeholders.
He reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s raw materials sector, supporting local industries and expanding value addition to drive sustainable industrial development.
The Director-General also disclosed that work was ongoing on the proposed 30 per cent Raw Materials Value Addition Bill, with corrections being made to facilitate its passage into law.
A MILESTONE FOR NIGERIA’S INDUSTRIAL FUTURE
The double recognition marks an important milestone for Prof. Ike-Muonso and the RMRDC, highlighting the Council’s role in promoting local resource utilisation, industrial innovation and economic diversification.
As Nigeria seeks to strengthen domestic production and create more opportunities across its industrial value chains, the Council’s efforts under Prof. Ike-Muonso continue to focus on unlocking the country’s raw materials potential for national development.
For Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, the double honour is both a recognition of leadership and a renewed call to advance Nigeria’s industrial transformation through research, innovation and value addition.