The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, has been elected the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Representative on the Board of the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organisations (WAITRO).
Ike-Muonso emerged victorious in a keenly contested election at the WAITRO Summit 2026, held in Istanbul, Türkiye, from October 26 to 28, defeating two other candidates to secure the regional seat.
The other contestants were 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 election marks an important milestone for Nigeria and represents an opportunity to strengthen the country’s participation in international research, technological innovation and industrial development initiatives. It also provides Sub-Saharan Africa with increased representation in WAITRO’s governance and strategic decision-making processes.
WAITRO is a global association of industrial and technological research organisations dedicated to promoting research collaboration, knowledge exchange, technology transfer and partnerships among research institutions, universities and industries. Its activities focus on translating scientific knowledge and technological discoveries into practical solutions to industrial and developmental challenges.
Ike-Muonso’s emergence on the international platform comes amid RMRDC’s ongoing efforts to promote research-driven industrialisation, develop indigenous raw materials, encourage local value addition and facilitate the commercialisation of research findings in Nigeria.
Under his leadership, the Council has continued to strengthen collaboration between research institutions and the private sector, promote the utilisation of locally available raw materials and support initiatives aimed at building a competitive and technology-driven manufacturing sector.
His new position on the WAITRO Board is expected to provide additional opportunities for international collaboration, institutional partnerships and knowledge sharing, while creating a platform to advance Africa’s research priorities and promote home-grown technological solutions.
For Nigeria, the development offers an opportunity to leverage global expertise, strengthen indigenous technological capacity and deepen engagement with international research and innovation networks. It also aligns with broader efforts to reduce dependence on imported technologies, improve local production capacity and unlock the economic potential of the country’s natural resources.
The WAITRO Summit 2026 brought together representatives of research and technology organisations, universities, industries, policymakers and innovation stakeholders from across the world to explore strategies for strengthening research cooperation, technological advancement and sustainable development.
DG of RMRDC,, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso (L) with other members of the board.
Ike-Muonso’s election further places Nigeria within the leadership structure of an international research and technology organisation, providing a platform to contribute to discussions and initiatives shaping the future of industrial research and innovation across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The RMRDC remains committed to building strategic partnerships and advancing research and innovation that support local content development, industrial growth, economic diversification and sustainable national development.
