Ahead of the maiden edition of the Africa Raw Materials Summit 2025, unions within the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) have thrown their weight behind the call for a mandatory 30 per cent value addition to Nigeria’s raw materials before export.

They argued that Nigeria cannot develop by continuing to export raw materials in their primary form.

The Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), RMRDC branch, stated this at a mini rally on Monday in Abuja.

They stressed the need for Nigerians to support the Director-General, Prof. Nnanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso, and the Council’s new policy direction.

The event was organised in solidarity with the DG’s one year in office and in celebration of the upcoming Africa raw materials summit scheduled for Tuesday May 20 with the theme “From Extraction to Innovation: Transforming Africa’s Raw Materials Sector”.

Chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), RMRDC unit, Comrade Smart Osuoha described the pending bill at the National Assembly seeking to enforce a 30 per cent minimum value addition to industrial raw materials before export as a new beginning for industrial development in Nigeria.

Osuoha cited the example of Switzerland, which she observed does not grow cocoa but dominates the global chocolate market through processing.

“We deemed it very important considering the fact that the current Director-General is barely one year in office. Meanwhile, he has achieved a whole lot.

“For instance, within this one year in office, we are talking about the maiden edition of the African Raw Materials Summit that will have stakeholders across the continent participating. And we are talking today about revolution in raw materials processing that will ensure that we no longer export our primary raw materials. There must be value addition.

“That is why today, if you go to the National Assembly, you will hear so much about 30 per cent minimum value addition to our industrial raw materials. Any moment from now, the bill will be passed into law. And once that is done, that will mark a new beginning not only for raw materials, but for the national industrial development.

He said the union’s solidarity reflects support for policies aimed at creating jobs and ensuring food security in the country.

Speaking, Chairman of ASURI, Fausta Chima, said the solidarity was timely, saying that it is coming just under a year after Ike-Muonso assumed office as Director-General.

She said the current management’s agenda includes boosting of value addition, generating employment, enhancing food security, and addressing social instability through economic empowerment.

Responding to reports of some dissent over the union’s solidarity with the management of the agency, Chima urged all critics to align with the collective vision of the council.