General News
Challenges facing R & D Are Ever Increasing – Olatunji
Dr. Oluwole Olatunji is the director-general and chief executive of Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Nigeria’s foremost research institute. Olatunji joined the institute in 1974 as a research officer and rose through the ranks to become the director general/executive officer in 2001. He is certificated in over twenty academic fields and attended various institutions outside the country. He belongs to various professional bodies including Fellow Institute of Food Technologies, USA. He spoke to emeka okafor.
ICT, FIIRO and Research Activities
The institute has made use of Information and Communications Technology in a number of ways: accesses to information – Researchers have been able to go online to source for information on their projects, FIIRO on the web – through ICT, we have been able to showcase FIIRO and give access to the outside world to know FIIRO and her products in terms of its technological findings, collaboration – through the internet, organizations, individuals have been able to collaborate with the institute in the area of research.
Others are communication has been greatly improved on through intranet in FIIRO and the supervising agency and others online, grants have been received in aid of research and development through online contacts with international bodies such as UNIDO, World Bank and a host of others and training – research activities have been enhanced through training programs received online for our members of staff.
There are also consultancy – technology transfer activities has been improved through the aid of the internet, 90 per cent of the research & technical officers are computer literate through the Computer Appreciation training organized in-house by the Computer Section of the Institute and more than 60 per cent of the research & technical officers have their personal laptops which they use in their research activities.
Breakthroughs Recorded by FIIRO
FIIRO’s breakthroughs are indeed inexhaustible. Various technologies developed over the years have in no small way improved the wellbeing of Nigerians especially in the small and medium scale businesses. To mention a few we have the soy-garri production, which helps to provide about 10 per cent protein content in Garri through its fortification by Soya beans; we also have detoxified cassava starch production, Glucose syrup from cassava starch, edible mushroom production, citric acid production, production of Biogas and Biofertilizer. FIIRO has also developed technologies for the production of baker’s yeast wine from local fruits and vegetables, Industrial enzymes, soy-ogi, bottling and preservation of palm wine.
We also had breakthroughs in the area of turning wastes to wealth. Maize and groundnut shells today can be used in the production of edible mushrooms that have high protein content. We also have adhesive from cow bone and lots more the popular 10 per cent cassava flour inclusion in wheat used for production, yam flour production, instant pounded yam flour, mechanized production of fufu flour.
Our project design and development department (Engineering) has developed machines locally such that we have the Cabinet dryer, extruder, cassava mash mixer, solar dryer, cassava chipping machine, oil filter press, hydraulic press for cassava processing, groundnut sheller, cassava peeling machine etc.
Government’s Contribution towards Research and Development
Over the years government’s contributions in the area of science and technology cannot be ignored with the wave of the hand. However it is clear that the challenges facing research and development (R & D) are an ever increasing one, so it is safe to say that government’s input in that area is not commensurate with the challenges. Yet the government is aware of the goal and working tirelessly towards getting to the mark, in view of the attendant needs of the nation that is calling for government’s attention.
Challenges
As the ‘Chief Servant’ of Nigeria’s Foremost Research Institute (using Mr. President’s style) a lot is expected from me. Starting from my responsibilities as a scientist and a researcher and as an administrator, I try to ensure that each of these responsibilities don’t becloud the other.
Trying to meet up with the trend in Research and Development is another challenge in view of the Limited Resources made available and this leads us to the issue of funds. The funds available for research are a far cry from what we actually need. There is the need to train and retrain members of staff, attend international seminars, workshops and many more. On the part of the government, more funds are actually needed to be able to recruit the needed manpower, create environment conducive for research and learning. Support of government is needed in collaborating with international organizations.
What is FIIRO all About
The conception of the Institute was in 1953, when an economic mission sent to Nigeria by the World Bank. One of the mission’s observations was that industrial research activities in Nigeria were diffused, uncoordinated, and with no definite direction. Consequently, the mission recommended that an “Institute of Applied Technical Research” be set up. This was established in 1956 by the then Minister for Commerce and Industry. In February 1958, the name was changed to “Federal Institute of Industrial Research”.
Initially, its supervisory Ministry was the Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry, but since then it has come under different supervisory bodies, the current one being the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, under which it came in January 1992. FIIRO is vigorously pursuing these mandates /objectives: to conserve Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings by reducing dependence on foreign goods, through the development of local substitutes from locally available raw materials, to improve the nutritional qualities of Nigerian foods, and their suitability for industrial processing.
Others are to improve the indigenous, traditional techniques of food production which are labour-intensive, time consuming and energy sapping, to engage in the design and fabrication of machinery and equipment, development of foundry processes and materials, analysis of metallurgical materials, casting of iron and aluminium production, and machining of spare parts, processing of ceramic materials and other solid based minerals for industrial use, including development for ceramic glass and mineral technology, processing of local woods for pulp and paper making and other uses as well as technical, analytical and consultancy services for existing and planned industries and to engage in technology transfer to the public through licensing training courses and capital goods acquisition. To also offer consultancy services to individuals, public and private institutions in Nigeria and overseas.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery is reportedly nearing completion of a $2.5 billion private placement that values the company at about $40 billion ahead of its planned public listing.
Private placement is the direct sale of company shares or bonds to pre-selected investors instead of the general public and it is used to raise money quickly while avoiding strict public reporting rules.
People familiar with the transaction said investors acquired as much as 6 per cent of the refinery, according to a BusinessDay report.
The reported terms would value the business at approximately $40 billion.
Neither Dangote Group nor the refinery has publicly announced the final amount raised, the identities of most subscribers or the precise percentage sold.
The figures should therefore be treated as transaction details supplied by unnamed sources rather than confirmed company disclosures.
The reported $2.5 billion total is nevertheless significant as it indicates strong demand for exposure to a privately controlled refinery that has rapidly become central to Nigeria’s fuel supply and an increasingly important exporter of petroleum products.
The placement was said to have attracted more demand than the available shares, allowing the company to secure substantially more than the amount initially associated with the fundraising exercise.
Femi Otedola, chairman, First HoldCo, is the only major participant publicly identified in the report.
He reportedly committed $100 million to the transaction and sold his investment in Geregu Power Plc to finance the acquisition.
Nigeria’s pension industry was also reportedly cleared to participate.
Access to more than $17 billion in retirement assets would broaden the refinery’s potential investor base beyond wealthy individuals and conventional institutional buyers.
Participation by Pension Fund Administrators would, however, require careful attention to valuation, liquidity and portfolio-concentration limits.
Retirement funds must balance the attraction of a large Nigerian industrial asset against their responsibility to protect contributors’ savings.
The implied $40 billion valuation represents investor expectations about the refinery’s future earnings rather than only the physical cost of constructing the facility.
Its ability to process 650,000 barrels of crude daily gives it a central role in supplying Nigeria and other markets, but its commercial performance remains connected to crude availability, product prices, exchange rates and regulation.
The refinery has struggled to obtain all the Nigerian crude it requires under the government’s naira-for-crude arrangement.
It has consequently purchased some feedstock internationally and recently moved local petroleum-product pricing into dollars to align sales revenue more closely with its foreign-currency expenses.
Those constraints will be important during any public offering.
Prospective shareholders will want greater clarity on crude-supply contracts, debt, operating margins, export revenue and the company’s relationship with Nigerian regulators.
It is also unclear whether the private placement involved newly issued shares, a sale by existing owners or a combination of both.
That distinction determines whether the reported $2.5 billion becomes fresh capital for the refinery or proceeds received by selling shareholders.
The transaction could provide a useful price reference for the planned initial public offering.
Federal government will next month launch Nigeria’s first national organized crime strategy to strengthen the country’s response to terrorism, cybercrime, human and drug trafficking, kidnapping, illicit financial flows, and other forms of organized crime.
Major General Adamu Laka, national coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser, disclosed this in Abuja during the validation of the strategy document.
He said the strategy provides a coordinated national framework for tackling organized crime through improved intelligence sharing, stronger collaboration among security agencies, and closer cooperation with the criminal justice system, civil society organizations, and international partners.
Major General Laka explained that the document was developed through a partnership involving the Federal Government, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United States Government, and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, Cheikh Toure, UNODC representative, said the strategy would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to combat transnational crimes, including drug trafficking, cybercrime, human trafficking, kidnapping, and illicit financial flows.
Also speaking, Douglas Grane, acting director of the United States Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, reaffirmed the U.S. government’s support for Nigeria’s efforts to tackle organized crime through stronger inter-agency and international cooperation.
Representatives of the National Institute for Strategic Studies, the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, and the National Cyber Security Centre also endorsed the initiative, describing it as a major step towards improving Nigeria’s fight against organized crime.
FATE Foundation, with funding from the Citi Foundation, has launched the Youth Entrepreneurship Incubation Programme to equip young people in Nigeria with financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills.
Delivered through free, safe, and accessible platforms, the programme supports the incubation and scaling of youth-led enterprises, enabling income generation and job creation.
In October 2025, FATE Foundation was selected as a recipient of Citi Foundation’s 2025 Global Innovation Challenge to Accelerate Youth Employability. Joining the cohort of 50 organisations globally, the Foundation will receive $500,000 over two years to advance its youth employability initiative.
“We are excited to be selected for Citi Foundation’s 2025 Global Innovation Challenge,” said Ayomide Akindolie-Igwe, Executive Director of FATE Foundation.
“This support enables us to equip young entrepreneurs in Nigeria with the financial literacy and skills needed to build and scale sustainable businesses.”
The programme addresses youth employability by tackling Africa’s growing jobs crisis. By 2030, the African continent will be home to 40% of the world’s youth, and with one in three under 35 already unemployed, this initiative will support Nigerian youth with a two-phase approach. It begins with financial literacy training before progressing to entrepreneurship development, incubation support, and access to tools needed to build viable, job-creating businesses.
“Through this innovative initiative, FATE Foundation is supporting low-income Nigerian youth to develop essential financial and entrepreneurial skills using accessible platforms.
“This support is not just helping individuals to succeed; it is building a solid foundation for sustainable enterprises that will drive job creation and contribute significantly to our nation’s economic vitality. This initiative is empowering and investing in the future of Nigeria, one youth at a time,” said Nneka Enwereji, MD/CEO Citibank Nigeria Limited.
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