REPORT OF COURTESY VISIT BY NCWS NATIONAL PRESIDENT TO RAW MATERIAL RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL-ABUJA.

The National President of the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS) Nigeria, Princess Edna D.D. Azura (Kwatam Mutaku), led a delegation of NCWS Members to the Director General/CEO of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Prof. Nnanyelugo M. Ike Muonso, at the Council’s headquarters in Abuja.

The visit, which brought together key directors and senior management staff of RMRDC, was aimed at fostering institutional collaboration between both bodies, particularly in the areas of women’s economic empowerment, value addition, and sustainable utilization of Nigeria’s abundant raw materials. The NCWS delegation was warmly received by the management team, including directors from Corporate Affairs, Industrial Extension Services, Planning, and the Gender Division, reflecting the Council’s commitment to inclusive development.

In her remarks, Princess Edna D.D. Azura expressed appreciation for the warm reception and highlighted the strategic importance of the visit. She reiterated that NCWS, as the umbrella body of all women’s organizations in Nigeria since its establishment in 1958 and its affiliation with the International Council of Women, remains committed to advancing the welfare, rights, and socio-economic development of Nigerian women across all levels. She emphasized that empowering women is not only a social responsibility but a critical driver of economic growth, food security, and national development.

The National President further stressed the pivotal role women play in agriculture, food processing, textiles, and small-scale enterprises, noting that despite their contributions, many women still face challenges in accessing technology, research outputs, and structured markets. She therefore proposed a strategic partnership with RMRDC to bridge these gaps through capacity building, skills development, and technology transfer initiatives that would enable women to add value to raw materials and improve their livelihoods.

Key areas of proposed collaboration highlighted by NCWS included training women in raw material processing techniques, establishment of community-based processing centers, promotion of research-driven innovations, and facilitation of market access for women-led products both locally and internationally. The Council also expressed interest in supporting environmentally sustainable initiatives such as waste-to-wealth programs, recycling, and climate-smart agriculture.

In response, the Director-General, Prof. Nnanyelugo M. Ike Muonso, commended the leadership of NCWS and acknowledged the critical role women play in Nigeria’s economic ecosystem. He emphasized that the mandate of RMRDC centers on promoting the development and optimal utilization of Nigeria’s raw materials through value a , noting that no nation can achieve sustainable economic growth without transforming its raw materials into finished or semi-finished goods.

The DG highlighted the importance of value addition as a pathway to wealth creation and poverty reduction, explaining that many Nigerians lose economic opportunities by exporting raw materials without processing them. He affirmed RMRDC’s readiness to collaborate with NCWS in empowering women through access to technology, training, and data-driven solutions that enhance productivity and income generation.

He further proposed joint advocacy efforts to secure government support for the establishment of common processing facilities across senatorial districts, which would serve as hubs for women’s enterprise development. According to him, such facilities would not only build capacity but also enable women to scale production, preserve products, and access better markets.

The DG also invited NCWS to actively participate in the upcoming African Raw Materials Summit, emphasizing the need to showcase women entrepreneurs who are already adding value to raw materials. He reiterated that collaboration with NCWS would strengthen outreach efforts, given the Council’s extensive grassroots network across Nigeria.

Other members of the RMRDC management team echoed the DG’s position, noting that the partnership with NCWS would significantly enhance the Council’s ability to reach and empower women at the community level. Discussions also addressed issues of youth inclusion, support for vulnerable women, and strategies to commercialize research outputs for broader societal impact.

The meeting concluded with a resolution for NCWS to submit a comprehensive formal proposal outlining areas of collaboration. This document will form the basis for the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), as directed by the DG, with the Directorate of Legal and Board Services tasked to facilitate the process within a stipulated timeframe.

In her closing remarks, the NCWS National President reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to a productive partnership with RMRDC, describing the engagement as a significant step toward unlocking the economic potential of Nigerian women through innovation, value addition, and sustainable development.

The courtesy visit marks the beginning of what is expected to be a transformative collaboration between NCWS and RMRDC, with far-reaching impact on women’s empowerment and national economic growth.

Princess Edna D. D. Azura (Kwatam Mutaku),
National President,
National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Nigeria.