The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) is to strengthen its partnership with Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) Lapai on Agro commodities and Minerals Development in Nigeria.

The Director General RMRDC, Professor Hussaini Doko Ibrahim said, the meeting on partnership which was in furtherance of a long-standing relationship with IBB University, is aimed at intensifying efforts at non-oil sector growth for enhanced revenue generation.

RMRDC boss made this known during a working visit by the IBBU vice chancellor, Prof. Adamu Abu Kasim and his team to the Council recently in Abuja.

He further stated that the last management of IBB University had previously visited the Council to seek for partnerships on some projects. “It gladdens my heart that the present management is here for us to continue in that spirit”, the DG added.

Professor Ibrahim said the Council has started the assessment of some deposits in the North central part of the country in partnership with IBB University and has completed the assessment of mineral deposits for three States in the same region.

“if Gypsum is one that is found in any of these North central States, certainly is a thing that the Council will work on”. The DG concluded.

The DG who also expressed his delight over the sustained working relationship with IBB University noted that Gypsum is very important in so many ways especially in the production of POP and cement.

He further stated that the Council’s effort for the past decade has yielded some results and that the local content of Gypsum is increasing.

In his words, “The Sokoto Cement and Ashaka cement are actually taking very large portion of the local mining deposit. The quality was one of the major problems of Gypsum in the past, the Council was able to designed and developed a scrubber which actually improve the quality of the Gypsum to a very high standard”.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor IBB University, Prof. Adamu Abu Kasim, while acknowledging the Council’s support over the years, said the University was hoping for more supports through partnerships to upgrade some of its strategic research facilities in view of its long-standing relationship with the Council.

The V C also said the University has identified more areas of collaboration with the Council which would add value to the University, RMRDC and Nigeria at large.

“one of such areas of collaboration is the locational analysis and characterization of Nigeria Gypsum deposit as raw materials for various industries”.

“Other area is diversification of Shear butter product which the University have started with Shear value chain that is not only for research and teaching purposes but also is going to empower local community and that will provide jobs for the teaming youth population in the Country”.

“Another area is also locational analysis and characterization of limestone and Marble deposit in Nigeria”

The Vice Chancellor expressed optimism that the proposed partnership will lead to the attainment of greater development of the mineral sector thereby harnessing the full value chain potentials of the minerals deposits that are available in commercial quantities in the State. This will ultimately lead to the industrialization of the State and Nigeria in general.