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RMRDC DG Prof. Ike-Muonso Wins WAITRO Sub-Saharan Africa Board Seat in Landslide Victory
Joel Ajayi
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Nnanyelugo M. Ike-Muonso, has emerged winner of the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Representative position on the Board of the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organisations (WAITRO), in a landslide victory at the WAITRO Summit in Istanbul, Türkiye.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the Director, Directorate of Corporate Affairs, Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC). Mrs. Nnamdi-Anum stated that Prof. Ike-Muonso’s election, announced at the summit holding from October 26 to 28, 2026, marks a significant milestone for Nigeria and RMRDC, strengthening the country’s representation in the international research, technology and innovation community.
The RMRDC Director-General contested the position alongside two distinguished candidates: Prof. Wellington Riach Liamba Masamba, Vice-Chancellor of the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), Botswana, and Prof. Mohammed Aliyu Paiko, Vice-Chancellor of Abdulkadir Kure University (AKUM), Nigeria.
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.
WAITRO is a global association of industrial and technological research organisations that facilitates collaboration, knowledge exchange and partnerships among research institutions, universities, industries and innovation stakeholders. Through its governance structure, the organisation provides a platform for regional representatives to contribute to international research and technology development initiatives.
Prof. Ike-Muonso’s election comes amid RMRDC’s sustained efforts to promote research-driven industrialisation, indigenous raw materials development, value addition, technology commercialisation and strategic partnerships with national and international institutions.
Under his leadership, the Council has continued to pursue initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between research and industry, strengthening the commercialisation of research findings, promoting local processing of raw materials and supporting the development of a competitive manufacturing sector in Nigeria.
RMRDC’s engagement with international research and technology organisations, including WAITRO, reflects the Council’s commitment to leveraging global expertise and partnerships to advance Nigeria’s industrial development agenda.
His election to the WAITRO Board is expected to provide a broader platform for promoting collaboration among African research institutions, encouraging technology transfer, facilitating knowledge sharing and advancing innovative solutions to the continent’s industrial and economic challenges.
For Nigeria and the wider Sub-Saharan African region, the development represents an opportunity to strengthen participation in international conversations on scientific research, technological innovation and sustainable industrial transformation.
The WAITRO Summit 2026 brings together research and technology organisations, universities, industry leaders, policymakers and innovation partners to explore collaborative approaches to research, innovation and sustainable development.
Prof. Ike-Muonso’s emergence is a notable achievement for RMRDC and Nigeria, further reinforcing the importance of strategic international cooperation in advancing indigenous technological capacity, promoting raw materials value addition and supporting sustainable industrial growth.
The Council remains committed to building partnerships that translate research and innovation into practical industrial applications, create economic opportunities and contribute to Nigeria’s broader development objectives.
News
Ochei to Ika’s Intellectual Community: Character, Competence and Capacity Must Determine Delta North’s Next Senator
– Team Ochei
Rt. Hon. (Engr.) Victor Ochei, Esq., FNSE, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial candidate for Delta North, yesterday told members of Opposition Gate in Agbor that his aspiration is anchored on three fundamental pillars, namely, Character, Competence and Capacity.
Addressing the Agbor-based sociopolitical group, comprising lecturers, academics, professionals and businesspeople, Ochei, who was accompanied by the NDC candidate for Ika South State Constituency, Mrs Ogor Tony-Obuh, the Delta North Senatorial Chairman, Hon. Aaron Udoka Ebenuwa, and Director-General of his Campaign Council Hon Gift Okwuolise Ph.D, framed the 2027 senatorial contest as one that should be determined by personal merit, performance and the value candidates can deliver.
“Character, Competence and Capacity are the true measures,” Ochei declared. “Every contestant is seeking to be hired by the people, and the people must hire on results, not on chants inspired by patronage.”
The former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly cited his legislative experience and engineering background as key strengths, arguing that his record of institutional leadership distinguishes his candidacy.
He also recalled his 2003 election, when, according to him, he contested on the platform of a relatively unknown party and defeated the then Majority Leader of the House. “I have never been an establishment candidate,” he said, describing independent-minded leadership as essential for Delta North’s representation in the Senate.
On governance and infrastructure, Ochei urged the audience to assess political leadership by tangible outcomes rather than slogans. Drawing on his engineering background, he said roads and other public infrastructure should be judged by their quality and durability. “As an engineer, the minimum a newly constructed road should last is 10 years,” he stated. He criticised what he described as the poor state of roads in Agbor and questioned the development outcomes associated with years of political influence in the area. Ochei maintained that decades of political patronage should be evaluated by the development attracted, institutions strengthened and lasting systems established.
Ochei also presented the NDC as a platform for advancing what the party describes as a New Nigeria, pointing to the appeal of its presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and his emphasis on prudence and responsible management of public resources.
“Peter Obi inspires real affection from the people, and his promise of prudence, cautious expenditure of government resources and homegrown solutions, is exactly what Nigeria needs today,” he said.
He further highlighted the Reset Proposal of the NDC’s Delta State governorship candidate, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, expressing confidence in Iyovwaye’s exposure and capacity to pursue industrial development, job creation and broader economic opportunities across the state.
He hailed Iyovwaye’s impact in the engineering logistics sector and his successful partnerships with Dangote Industries and other multinational organisations, insisting that such exposures have placed him as a superior material today.
Concluding his address, Ochei urged the gathering to believe in the possibility of a New Nigeria and support efforts to translate that vision into reality.
“We must believe in the possibility of a New Nigeria and be ready to do all it takes to make it real,” he said. “Character, Competence and Capacity, that is the superiority of this senatorial aspiration.”
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