By Gabriel Ameh
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria has secured a stronger voice in global scientific research and industrial technology development following the election of the Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, to the Board of the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organisations (WAITRO).
Ike-Muonso emerged victorious in a keenly contested election held during the WAITRO Summit 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye, between October 26 and 28, defeating two other candidates to secure the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Representative position.
The other contestants were Prof. Wellington Riach Liamba Masamba, Vice-Chancellor of the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Prof. Mohammed Aliyu Paiko, Vice-Chancellor of Abdulkadir Kure University, Nigeria.
His election represents a significant achievement for Nigeria and the RMRDC, placing the country in a strategic position to contribute to international discussions on scientific research, technological innovation and industrial development.
It also offers the Sub-Saharan African region an opportunity to strengthen its representation in WAITRO’s governance and decision-making processes, particularly in shaping research priorities and promoting partnerships that convert scientific discoveries into practical industrial solutions.
WAITRO is an international association that promotes collaboration, knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships among industrial and technological research organisations, universities, industries and other innovation stakeholders.
Through its global network, the organisation supports research cooperation, technology transfer and the development of innovative solutions to industrial and economic challenges.
Ike-Muonso’s election comes as the RMRDC continues to pursue research-driven industrialisation, indigenous raw materials development, value addition and technology commercialisation in Nigeria.
Under his leadership, the Council has intensified efforts to strengthen collaboration between research institutions and industries, encourage the commercialisation of research findings, promote local processing of raw materials and support the growth of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.
The Council has also continued to build partnerships with local and international institutions to access global expertise, improve indigenous technological capacity and accelerate industrial development.
His new position on the WAITRO Board is expected to provide an additional platform for advancing these objectives through stronger international engagement and collaboration with research and technology organisations across Africa and beyond.
It could also create opportunities for knowledge sharing, technology transfer, institutional partnerships and the development of home-grown technological solutions to Africa’s industrial and economic challenges.
For Nigeria, the development offers an opportunity to increase its visibility in global research and innovation initiatives while promoting the utilisation of scientific knowledge and indigenous resources to support sustainable economic growth.
The WAITRO Summit 2026 brought together representatives of research and technology organisations, universities, industries, policymakers and innovation partners from different parts of the world to discuss collaborative approaches to scientific research, technological innovation and sustainable development.
Following the election, the RMRDC reaffirmed its commitment to building strategic partnerships that translate research and innovation into practical industrial applications, create economic opportunities, promote local content development and support Nigeria’s industrialisation objectives.
Ike-Muonso’s emergence on the WAITRO Board further highlights the importance of international cooperation in strengthening Africa’s research ecosystem and advancing the continent’s technological and industrial development.
SOURCE: Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC).
