Nigeria secures Sub-Saharan Africa seat on global research board

File: RMRDC Director-General, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso.

Nigeria has secured representation on the Board of the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organisations following the election of the Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, as the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Representative.

Ike-Muonso emerged as the winner at the WAITRO Summit held in Istanbul, Türkiye, from October 26 to 28, 2026, defeating two other candidates, 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 gives Nigeria a stronger voice in the international research and technology community and provides an opportunity to influence discussions on scientific research, technology transfer, innovation and industrial development across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The RMRDC, in a statement issued by its Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Nnamdi-Anum, described the “election as a significant milestone for Nigeria and the council.”

According to the statement, “Ike-Muonso’s emergence presents an opportunity to advance African research priorities, strengthen international partnerships and promote the application of research findings to industrial development.

It said, “His emergence as the successful candidate presents an important opportunity to advance African research priorities, strengthen international partnerships and promote the application of research and technological innovations to industrial development across the continent.”

The council expressed optimism that his membership of the board would provide a platform to promote collaboration among African research institutions, facilitate technology transfer and encourage knowledge sharing to address the continent’s industrial and economic challenges.

It added that the development would strengthen Africa’s participation in global conversations on scientific research, technological innovation and sustainable industrial transformation.

WAITRO is an international association of industrial and technological research organisations established in 1970 under the auspices of the United Nations. It provides a platform for research institutions, universities and industry stakeholders to collaborate, exchange knowledge and develop innovative solutions to global challenges.

The organisation brings together research and technology institutions to promote partnerships, knowledge exchange and the application of scientific research to industrial and economic development.

The RMRDC was established to promote industrial development and economic self-reliance through the development and utilisation of Nigeria’s locally available raw materials.

Its mandate includes promoting research into indigenous raw materials, encouraging local sourcing by industries, supporting value addition and facilitating the commercialisation of research findings.

Under Ike-Muonso’s leadership, the council has continued to pursue initiatives to bridge the gap between research institutions and industry, strengthen the commercialisation of research findings, promote local processing of raw materials, and support the development of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.

The council said his election was expected to strengthen international partnerships and provide a broader platform for promoting indigenous technological capacity and sustainable industrial growth.

It reaffirmed its commitment to building partnerships that translate research and innovation into practical industrial applications, create economic opportunities and contribute to Nigeria’s development objectives.