The Ministry of Trade and Investment has set up an institute called the Cement Technology Institute (CTI) to boost cement production in Nigeria. The Minister, Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, said that the institute was being set up to assist the nation to optimise its cement production capacity and capability, through acquisition and development of appropriate technology that would make cement products adequately available as a low cost basic building material for the average Nigerian. The board of CTI is chaired by the Group president, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote. The board of directors spelt out the objectives of the institute, which were to train and enhance manpower in cement technology and related fields especially at the middle management level; to undertake research and development in the areas of suitable alternative technologies in cement manufacturing and utilisation of local raw materials for cement manufacturing. Others include development of various types of cement high alumina cement; low-heat cement; capacity to use mineral admixtures that will prolong life span of the raw materials; cleaner and environment-friendly production processes and waste management in the cement industry; energy conservation; developing and establishing prototype mini-cement plant; and utilisation of locally manufactured components and parts for the cement industry. CTI would be run and managed as a non-governmental organisation with the Board of Trustee members drawn from government and major stakeholders in the cement industry.