The director general, National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Prof Jeffery Barminas has said that Nigeria imported adhesives to the tune of $13.291 million.
According to the director-general in an interview with journalists in Abuja at the weekend, from 2018, Nigeria imported adhesives worth $13.291 million, accounting for 0.02 per cent of total imports adding that they need to change the tide.
NARICT, which is Nigeria’s chemical technology research institute, with a mandate to develop its abundant natural resources for useful industrial applications, recently emerged as 2nd position at the just-concluded 2024 Technology Expo.
But Barminas said the next EXPO in 2025, they will expectedly lead the pack in the provision of innovative projects to the nation.
“Researchers and support staff are poised to deliver excellently on the mandate of the institute.
“The institute was awarded the prize for the 2nd position at the Technology Expo based on its innovative research on adhesive production technology.
“The project harnesses natural rubber latex to produce adhesives for use in the leather, wood, paper, foam, footwear, upholstery, textiles industries and others.
“A huge amount of foreign exchange is spent yearly on the import of adhesives, according to the Raw Materials Research and Development Council,” he said.
Barminas commended efforts by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation in organising the Expo.
He pledged to drive further innovative research and development to harness resources while creating opportunities, to pave the way for Nigeria’s growth and industrialisation.
According to him, such research focus will include the Precipitated Calcium Carbonate Project, Salt Utilisation Project and expansion of the Neem-based Minero Organic Fertilizer Project to avail more farmers the product.
He explained that the Innovative Research Products and Projects would help to fast track the nation’s economy and create jobs, while harnessing resources.
