Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), has been elected as the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Representative on the Board of the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organisations (WAITRO). This election was held during the WAITRO Summit 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye, from October 26 to 28. Ike-Muonso secured a landslide victory, defeating two other candidates for the regional position.
The election was a significant achievement for Ike-Muonso, who competed against Prof. Wellington Riach Liamba Masamba, Vice-Chancellor of the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), and Prof. Mohammed Aliyu Paiko, Vice-Chancellor of Abdulkadir Kure University (AKUM), Nigeria. His election is expected to strengthen Nigeria's participation in international discussions on scientific research, technological innovation, and industrial development.
WAITRO is a global association of industrial and technological research organisations that promotes collaboration, knowledge exchange, and strategic partnerships among research institutions, universities, industries, and other innovation stakeholders. Through its global network, the organisation provides a platform for strengthening research cooperation, facilitating technology transfer, and promoting innovative solutions to industrial and developmental challenges.
Ike-Muonso's emergence as a board member comes against the backdrop of RMRDC's efforts to promote research-driven industrialisation, indigenous raw materials development, value addition, and technology commercialisation in Nigeria. Under his leadership, the Council has intensified efforts to bridge the gap between research institutions and industry, promote the commercialisation of research findings, and encourage local processing of raw materials.
The Council has also pursued strategic partnerships with national and international institutions to leverage global expertise, strengthen indigenous technological capacity, and accelerate Nigeria's industrial development. Ike-Muonso's election to the WAITRO Board is expected to provide a broader international platform for advancing these objectives through increased collaboration and stronger engagement with research and technology organisations across Africa and other regions.
The position could facilitate knowledge sharing, encourage technology transfer, strengthen institutional partnerships, and promote the development of home-grown technological solutions to Africa's industrial and economic challenges. For Nigeria and the wider Sub-Saharan African region, the election represents an opportunity to secure greater visibility and participation in global research and innovation initiatives.
The WAITRO Summit 2026 brought together representatives of research and technology organisations, universities, industries, policymakers, and innovation partners from different parts of the world to explore collaborative approaches to research, technological innovation, and sustainable development. Ike-Muonso's election is a significant milestone in Nigeria's efforts to promote research-driven industrialisation and technological innovation.
Key points
- Ike-Muonso's election to the WAITRO Board is expected to strengthen Nigeria's participation in international discussions on scientific research, technological innovation, and industrial development.
- The RMRDC DG's election provides a broader international platform for advancing Nigeria's research priorities and promoting international partnerships.
- WAITRO is a global association that promotes collaboration, knowledge exchange, and strategic partnerships among research institutions, universities, industries, and other innovation stakeholders.
