In picture : The Director-General/CEO RMRDC, Professor Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, signs the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). With him are the Director, Legal and Board Services (DLBS), Barrister N. N. Keshi, and the Regional Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa, Africhip, Mr. Lawrence Huleji.
The Regional Manager of Sub-Saharan Africa, Africhip Research and Development Limited, Mr. Lawrence Huleji has observed that Nigeria has an abundance of raw materials which can be utilised to produce semi-conductors that meet global standards, but it’s sad that these raw materials have not been utilised for this purpose up to date.
As a result of this, Huleji said that Africhip has chosen to partner with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) to bridge this gap and change the narrative.
Therefore, to walking the talk, the two organizations have signed a memorandum of understanding to unlock opportunities across the semiconductor value chain.
The Director-General/ CEO, RMRDC Professor Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, signed on behalf of the Council, while Mr Lawrence Hulu, did on behalf of Africhip.
The Director-General emphasized that semiconductors are at the heart of modern technology, powering products and systems ranging from smartphones and renewable energy technologies to defence electronics and artificial intelligence infrastructure.
He observed that Nigeria possesses significant deposits of critical minerals required for semiconductor manufacturing, including silicon, quartz, columbite, lithium, and rare earth elements, which provide the country with a strong foundation for developing a local semiconductor industry.
Both organisations pledged to undertake collaborative research, feasibility studies, technology innovation programmes, and skills development initiatives aimed at strengthening local expertise and building a sustainable semiconductor ecosystem.
The partnership will focus on activities spanning the entire value chain, from raw material extraction and beneficiation to chip design, wafer fabrication, and the commercialisation of finished semiconductor products.
