By Steve Agbota

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has charged the Board of Nestlé Nigeria Plc to build a world-class research centre in Nigeria as part of its global Research and Development (R&D) investment in the country.

The Minister, who made the comment during a working visit to the Flowergate factory of the company at the Sagamu-Abeokuta and Ibadan-Lagos Expressway interchange in Ogun State recently, observed that the time has come for Nigeria to have a world-class research centre for industrial R&D purposes.

During the tour, in company of the management of Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), the Minister said the research centre is capable of contributing immensely to Nigeria’s economy arising from the result of manpower development and training. Presently, the global conglomerate has 29 existing world-class research centres globally.

Onu urged the company’s board to consider making Nigeria its next in line for R&D centre. He acknowledged the role played by Nestle in Nigeria’s and global economic development, alluding to the country’s rapidly growing population compared to those of some other countries where population is on the decline.

He added: “By the end of this century, it is projected that Nigeria’s population will reach one billion if we continue at the growth rate we are now,” stressing that “there will be a billion Nigerians in about 86 years from now. So that will be more business for Nestlé Nigeria Plc.

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“We think that in term of research, it will be very nice for Nestlé Nigeria Plc to think seriously of establishing a world-class research centre in Nigeria. So we think that it is important to have a network of research centres in Nigeria since you already have in 29 countries globally. So, the 30th research centre of Nestle International should be in Nigeria,” added.

He emphasised that, “Nestle’s board seriously considers my request because Nigeria has the strongest economy in Africa. We have the largest population and the largest market in the continent.”

Meanwhile, the Director General FIIRO, Mrs. Gloria Elemo, who accompanied the Minister on the tour said the institute was at the forefront of developing local materials for industrial usage to boost the country’s self-sufficiency in line with the diversification agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

She lauded the local content initiative of Nestlé Nigeria, adding that the company is currently sourcing 82 per cent of raw materials used in its production locally, a decision that has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s industrial development.

Elemo disclosed that FIIRO will keep on the advocacy and campaign on local content in processing companies as this will help in overcoming economic recession.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Mauricio Alarcon, expressed the company’s commitment to its policy of “creating shared value” by working with local communities to create opportunities and to help improve livelihood in places covered by its operations.