Technology innovation will make Nigeria a big player in world economy, the Director General of Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Dr Hussein Ibrahim, has said.
Ibrahim said this when Technology and Innovation Complex was commissioned in Abuja.
The RMRDC Complex, located at the NASRDA was established for commercialisation of research findings and industrialisation of Nigerian economy.
The DG said: ‘‘The commissioning of the complex marked a significant milestone in our journey towards industrialization and technological self-reliance, describing the initiative as novel and unprecedented.’’
‘‘I’m thrilled and proud on this day of my last assignment, it is a happy end. RMRDC has done well. STI is the way to go, failure to do that, we will be left behind.
He said the complex which is the first of its kind will serve as an incubation centre for technologies in the development of industrial Raw Materials.
The centre again, is meant to serve as a testing centre for the technical and commercial feasibility of the pilot projects.
A total of 33 project pilot plants were installed at the complex, they include: pilot plant for the production of industrial and pharmaceutical grade starch from Tacca, pilot plant for the production of industrial and pharmaceutical Grade Talc, pilot plant for the production of Hydrated Lime, pilot plant for the production of Shea butter, production of Essential Oil, Kilishi, Copper Sulphate and Phytomedicine.
Other are pilot plants for the production of castor oil; Stevia, Anti-Tuberculosis, Anti-Sickling, Snacks, Personal Protective equipment, Sorbitol from cassava, herbal composition for the management of blood pressure, diabetes and Sodium Silicate.
