How new technologies can aid industrialisation, diversification

The Director-General, Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RMRDC, Prof. Hussaini Ibrahim, has said the manufacturing industry stands at the forefront of an effective diversification of the Nigerian economy, hence the need to harness the technologies available in this modern age to give the manufacturing sector an edge in the diversification agenda.

Speaking at the 5th Nigeria Manufacturing and Equipment Exhibition, in Lagos, he noted that the NIRAM Expo is a platform for manufacturers to source raw materials, obtain first-hand information on research breakthrough to enhance efficient synergy amongst the entire manufacturing value chain.

Similarly, the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Mohammed Abdullahi, said the present administration has taken numerous positive and bold steps to demonstrate its commitment to the development and application of science and technology as a veritable tool for national development by launching six policies.

These policies include the national science, technology and innovation policy, national Science, technology and innovation roadmap 2030, Presidential executive order 005, national policy on methanol fuel production, national leather and leather products policy, and national strategy for competitiveness in raw materials and products development in Nigeria.

He urged for collaboration with the ministry’s various initiatives and platform to facilitate the commercialization of research findings and prototype inventions to enhance technological and industrial development.

The president, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mansur Ahmed, pointed out that the emergence of new technology, changing markets, and the upcoming African free trade market call for stakeholders’ collaboration to anticipate and respond appropriately to the evolving manufacturing eco-system which is being ushered in the rapid adoption of this new and innovative technology.

He commended the Federal Government’s support for manufacturers particularly in ensuring that the operating environment becomes increasingly conducive to help businesses thrive notwithstanding the fast-growing competitive environment.

He said this year’s NME Expo is quite unique as it provides a common ground for large manufacturing organizations and SMEs to explore new production process that will increase their production output, saying that MAN has taken the challenge of leading the manufacturing sector to play a vital role in the nation’s vision of becoming one of the leading industrialized economies in Africa.

He said NIRAM Expo is aimed at creating a platform where stakeholders in the raw materials supply chain will come together to synergize, display and trade in available resources and raw materials with the users of these products.

“With this in mind, we intend to close the information gaps and encourage local sourcing of available raw materials by manufacturing industries which are in line Government backward integration programme.