The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) and the Defence Headquarters are putting together a partnership focused on improving agricultural practices, increasing local production, and supporting food security in Nigeria.
The planned collaboration, which includes joint research, training, and support for agro-industrial growth, was discussed during a formal visit by top military officials to the Council’s office in Abuja.
The visiting team, representing the Chief of Defence Staff, was led by Brigadier General David D. Kurmi and Brigadier General Mohammed Lawan. They conveyed the military’s resolve to partner with the RMRDC in strengthening the efficiency and output of its various farming initiatives across the country.
According to the Defence Headquarters, this aligns with ongoing efforts by the armed forces to integrate agriculture into their strategic planning, ensuring sustainable logistics and food systems within military structures.
Director General of the RMRDC, Professor Nnanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso, received the delegation and hailed the proposed collaboration as a “landmark advancement.”
He noted that the Council, under its statutory mandate, remains committed to harnessing and promoting local raw materials for national industrialisation and economic transformation.
Professor Ike-Muonso further described the Defence Farms project as a remarkable blueprint for innovation in agriculture and raw materials cultivation, stating that its potential to address the food needs of military institutions while contributing to agro-industrial development was particularly promising.
He added that the project could also enable the production of specialised crops designed to support the operational and nutritional needs of the armed forces.
“This partnership serves as a gateway for cooperation that supports both national development and defence objectives,” the Director General stated.
Professor Nnanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso, Director General of RMRDC, outlined several strategic areas where the collaboration could have lasting impact. These include the joint development of military-grade raw materials and fibres for defence manufacturing, and capacity building for military personnel in raw materials processing and agro-industrial technologies.
He also highlighted the importance of creating strategic reserves and resilient supply chains for essential materials, as well as the potential establishment of innovation hubs and industrial parks dedicated to defence-related technologies.
Additionally, he stressed the need for sustainable resource management, especially in military-controlled zones where agricultural and raw material activities take place.
Dr. Ike Willie-Nwobu of West African Mombat, who played a key role in coordinating the visit, commended both institutions for taking a visionary approach towards building a self-reliant defence architecture. He described the initiative as a transformative leap in the nation’s quest for food sufficiency, noting that the synergy between Defence Farms, Allied Businesses, and RMRDC could catalyse economic growth and national resilience.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Willie-Nwobu emphasised that the alliance holds great promise for advancing critical national goals such as capacity transfer, innovation-driven research, improved civil-military relations, and socio-economic empowerment for retired service personnel.
He added that such a multifaceted collaboration could become a model for productive inter-agency partnerships across sectors.
Directors from various departments within the RMRDC also participated in the strategic dialogue, offering practical perspectives on execution strategies and shared priorities that would shape the long-term success of the partnership.
