1.0   EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

The Raw Materials Research & Development Council (RMRDC) in collaboration with Mikiste Direvii and Thomas Promotions organized a two-day summit as part of the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Science & Technology’s (FMST’s) contribution towards the actualization of certain aspects of Vision 2020 and the 7-Point Agenda of the Federal Government. The Summit, which took place from 31^st October to 1^st November, 2007 at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Abuja, addressed the issues of local raw materials research in the Country.

THEME & OBJECTIVES

The Summit with the theme: “The State of Local Raw Materials Research and Development in Nigeria” was a clarion call to all stakeholders in the raw materials development and industrialization process to come together, review the state of raw materials in various parts of the country and determine ways of supporting the lofty initiatives of the government to making Nigeria amongst the 10 most industrialized nation by the year 2020. Other specific objectives of the summit were:

(i)                Stakeholders to come up with a blueprint that will define a new road map for raw materials development and address contemporary issues such as inadequate funding, effective community-government private sector participation & linkages.

(ii)              The Summit to evolve strategies to implement community based raw materials development and cottage-level projects to enhance wealth creation, reduce poverty, and create employment to stem the rate of rural-urban drift.

(iii)            Use adaptable modern technology and renewable energy resources to drive rural industrialization by adding value to local raw materials and enhancing export value and areas of application.

To bring stakeholders from the States, Local Government and Private Sector together to present unbiased report on the impact and status of raw materials research and development in their domains.