Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has called on the Federal Government to prioritize value addition to Nigeria’s abundant raw materials to drive economic development.
Governor Otti made this appeal on Friday while receiving a delegation led by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, in Umuahia.
He emphasized that Abia, like several other states, is rich in cash crops such as cassava, cashew, cocoa, and rubber. He stressed the need for their processing and utilization to maximize economic benefits.
“We need to begin to add value to every product, be it agricultural or mineral. I don’t think we have done enough with our mineral potentials—it requires intentional and deliberate actions,” Otti stated.
Highlighting the crucial role of the RMRDC in national development, particularly in manufacturing, small- and medium-scale industries, and other key sectors, the governor expressed optimism that Nigeria could build a thriving, agriculture-driven economy—just as the late Premier of the Eastern Region, Dr. Michael Okpara, did—without over-reliance on oil.
“The existence of the Council is vital to the country’s development, especially in manufacturing and small-scale industries. Our government is more than willing to partner with you and support your mandate,” he assured.
Governor Otti further pledged to allocate land for the Council to establish a befitting operational office in Abia State, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to harnessing the state’s agricultural and mineral wealth.
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Earlier, the Director-General of RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, commended Governor Otti for his transformative leadership, describing him as a leader with competence, integrity, and a strong commitment to the state’s development.
He noted that Otti was the first state governor in Nigeria to grant his team an audience for such a strategic engagement, underscoring the visit’s importance in furthering the Council’s mandate to drive industrialization through sustainable raw material development and utilization.
Prof. Ike-Muonso identified Abia’s rich agricultural and industrial base as a key asset in unlocking Nigeria’s natural endowments for economic diversification, value addition, and job creation.
He also invited Governor Otti to participate in the maiden Africa Raw Materials Summit, scheduled to take place in May at the Abuja Continental Hotel. According to him, the summit—which has confirmed participants from 72 countries—aims to deepen Africa’s raw materials markets, share knowledge on processing technologies, and strengthen value chains.
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