Acholonu Questions The Mantra Of ‘Local Raw Materials’ As Development Pathway

Dr. Kenny Acholonu, an entrepreneur and patent holder in both the United States and Nigeria, has challenged the mantra of relying on local raw materials as the path to Nigerian industrialization and development.

In his book, Who Will Give You the Technology? In terms of science-based innovation and manufacturing in Nigeria, the innovator claims that “local raw materials are not a panacea for development.”

Acholonu stated, “Many policymakers in Nigeria, particularly in Africa, continuously and erroneously promote the policy framework that states that using local raw materials will add much economic value and lead to higher GDP growth. Contrary to global development experience, no one has ever asked the Japanese, who import almost all raw materials, to use domestic raw materials in Japan. Nobody asks the Swiss, who import almost all raw materials, particularly in agriculture, to use local raw materials.
“What is necessary and sufficient for economic growth, higher GDP, and lifting our population out of poverty is to focus our policies on high-value products that pay high wages and lift the overall population out of poverty.”

Acholonu observes that companies that use Nigerian local raw materials typically produce “commodity products.” Nonetheless, he suggests motivating them “through a policy that ensures they buy high value, locally made intermediate products made by local science and technology entrepreneurs in the chemical, food technology, and engineering industries.”

Dr. Acholonu is an industrialist, award-winning scientist, and business strategist who owns three US patents for organic chemical synthesis and two Nigerian patents for micronutrient fortification. He is the visionary behind Micronutrient Laboratories Limited and BioOrganics Nutrient Systems Limited. His expertise was recognised by F. Hoffman La Roche, where he worked as a director in Nigeria.

Micronutrient Laboratories Limited manufactures and markets Cognito Nutrient Powder, which many states use to combat malnutrition.

Acholonu studied Chemistry at Howard University and earned a doctorate from the University of the Pacific. He pursued post-doctoral studies at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Hygiene and Public Health. He went on to work as a research chemist at American Cyanamid Inc’s Stamford Research Laboratory, where he developed work that earned him three patents.

Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, will lead a group of distinguished individuals from manufacturing, science, and technology to the book’s presentation on June 20, 2024, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos.