Made-in-Nigeria Chemicals Coming Soon? NBTE, NARICT Join Forces to Revolutionize Technical Research and Local Production

In a strategic move to boost Nigeria’s self-reliance in chemical production and advance technical education, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has reaffirmed its commitment to a stronger partnership with the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Zaria.

The renewed alliance was sealed during a courtesy visit to NBTE headquarters by a delegation from NARICT, led by its newly appointed Director General and Chief Executive Officer.

NBTE Executive Secretary, Professor Idris M. Bugaje, hailed the collaboration as a step in the right direction for Nigeria’s industrial growth and educational transformation. He described NARICT as Nigeria’s “arrowhead” in chemical innovation and technical research and called for more synergy to bridge the gap between research output and practical skill development.

“NBTE is fully ready to work with NARICT to strengthen technical education and promote local chemical production,” Prof. Bugaje declared. “With this partnership, I want to start seeing NARICT-branded reagents in our school laboratories across the country.”

Bugaje also emphasized the urgent need to cut down on chemical imports, especially for academic and industrial purposes. “We cannot continue to import what we can produce. NARICT has the infrastructure and expertise. We just need to maximize it,” he added.

The NBTE boss commended the appointment of NARICT’s new DG, highlighting that the role is best suited for someone with a solid background in chemical engineering. “Having a seasoned Chemical Engineer at the helm gives me great confidence. We’re going to see real progress under this leadership,” he stated.

Looking ahead, Prof. Bugaje revealed that NBTE is initiating a joint committee with NARICT to explore and develop areas of mutual interest. The goal: to identify key projects that will lead to more practical training for students, enhanced local production of lab materials, and innovative research outcomes that serve Nigeria’s economy.

In his response, the Director General of NARICT expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from NBTE and pledged to drive reforms that will position the institute as a leading force in chemical technology, both locally and internationally.

The partnership is expected to unlock a new wave of opportunities in technical education, local manufacturing, and research-driven industrial solutions—potentially marking the beginning of a Made-in-Nigeria revolution in the chemical sector.