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The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has applauded the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) for its sponsorship of a bill at the National Assembly to shut Nigeria’s borders against the importation of industrial raw materials that can be locally sourced.
” It is a first of its kind, as it holds enormous potential for upscaling productivity, raw materials development, and utilisation in Nigeria,” said the Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir.
The Association also praised the Council for having revived the Multi-disciplinary Task Force that helps pinpoint which sectors require targeted support, technological intervention, investment or capacity building across the 10 sectoral groups of MAN.
The Director-General/ CEO of RMRDC, Prof Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, had during an interactive session between the Council wurh the leadership of MAN in Lagos, disclosed that the bill has already scaled its first reading and when passed, will provide the manufacturers with the needed forex for sourcing raw materials that are not available locally, protect natural resources, and catalyse domestic processing capabilities in the country.
The RMRDC boss explained that the council arrived at the 30 per cent value addition requirement on raw materials before export following survey and data collected from the ten sectoral groups of MAN.
“The Multi-disciplinary Task Force’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 identifies 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
Furthermore, by documenting current value-addition practices and potential across different industries, the MTF enables 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,” said Ike-Muonso. ▪︎