By Ikenna Nwokedi 

The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) Anambra State Coordinating Office in collaboration with the Sahelian Institute of Bamboo Research and Entrepreneurship Development (SIBRED), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, on Friday, 31st July, 2025 held a one day Investors' Forum on Bamboo Value Chain Development in Anambra State.

The colourful event which was held at the conference room of the UNIZIK Business School had its theme as, "Strengthening Investment Opportunities along the Bamboo Value Chain for Sustainable Economic and Industrial Development.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and Honourable Commissioner for Environment in the State, Engr. Dr. Felix Odumegwu stated that across the globe, bamboo is no longer viewed as a wild plant but a strategic green commodity powering industries in construction, textiles, energy, furniture and medicine.

Dr. Odumegwu who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Tochukwu Obodogha informed that the present administration under Gov. Soludo is placing the environment at the heart of its development agenda and promoting nature-based enterprises like the bamboo value chain as engines for rural transformation, youth employment and industrial diversification.

Declaring the forum open, the acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi stated that the theme of the investor's forum captures tangentially aspects of the challenges of developing countries which is the lack of value addition to their raw materials.

The acting Vice-Chancellor who was represented by the Director of General Studies (GS) Unit, Engr. Prof. Philomena Igbokwe disclosed that value chains promote economic development, business growth, job creation and consumer satisfaction. The scholar expressed hope that the forum will awaken the interest of investors and the various governments of the developing world to explore and exploit the abundant natural resources as a veritable path to their socioeconomic development.

Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, the DG/CEO of RMRDC averred that the strengthening of the vast potentials of bamboo resources in Nigeria could be achieved through continued collaboration and sustained efforts in transforming the sector for long term impact. The DG/CEO who was represented by the Anambra State Coordinator of the RMRDC, Dr. Uche Arinze-Nwosu called on various stakeholders to join hands in advancing the bamboo value chain for industrial growth and economic development.

The Keynote Speaker and Vice-Chancellor of Open Learning University, Democratic Republic of Congo, Prof. Muyisa Kazimoto stated that bamboo emerges as a renewable, fast growing resource well-suited for sustainable development. Prof. Kazimoto highlighted some of the bamboo's environmental and economic potentials while suggesting as part of policy recommendations that bamboo should be institutionalized in national development frameworks, integrated into climate finance systems, establishment clusters and innovation zone.

In a paper presentation titled, "From Raw Materials to Revenue: Bamboo-based Entrepreneurship for Youths", the Director of SIBRED, Dr. John Ogbodo established that bamboo is potentially a key component of the green economy's transformation. The scholar while highlighting the importance of bamboo to economic development gave insights into bamboo's ecological restoration benefits and ways of its environmental sustainability.

The lead paper presenter, Mrs Diana Doheny, Co-Founder Agroforestry Impact and Regeneration USA, in her paper titled, "Bamboo-based value chains for Sustainable Development: Identifying Investment Opportunities and Accessing International Grants", said that Bamboo is often referred to as green gold because of its remarkable significance and versatility with a myriad of uses from construction materials to culinary delights. Mrs Doheny also gave more insights into the physical and chemical properties of bamboo based on numerous researches conducted across the globe.

In their goodwill messages, the Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Forster Ihejiofor offered that bamboo stand as a crop that can mitigate the various environmental challenges of the state especially the active erosion sites. He also affirmed that there are limitless benefits associated with the use of the special crop. 

On his part, the State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor stated that the dream of Gov. Soludo administration is to convert Anambra into a destination of choice for the people which can be achieved through partnerships and meaningful interactions. He stated that bamboo exploration has a place in the value chain because of its huge economic values.

The one-day Investors' forum also featured goodwill messages from stakeholders and international partners of SIBRED; presentations on agro financing opportunities by commercial banks such as First Bank and Fidelity Bank PLC; tour of exhibition stands and networking by the participants.