Nnaji leads Climate-Smart Innovation drive at Commonwealth forum

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By Emmanuel Jonathan

Chief Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, says Nigeria is at the forefront of climate resilience and food security innovation.

Nnaji communicated this while addressing the Commonwealth Roundtable on Climate Finance and Food Security at Marlborough House, London, UK.

Dr Robert Ngwu, Special Adviser to minister, in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja, said Nnaji outlined a comprehensive national strategy at the event.

Nnaji highlighted Nigeria’s bold initiatives to integrate innovation, climate finance and sustainable agriculture in response to climate change, land degradation and food insecurity.

The minister called for a global commitment to integrating some inherent challenges.

“We cannot afford to let climate inaction dictate our food security, science, technology and sustainable finance in tackling this future.”

Nnaji said that under the Nigeria Living Lands Initiative (NLLI), Nigeria was implementing cutting-edge solutions designed to mitigate environmental degradation while boosting agricultural productivity.

The minister listed some of the initiatives to include: “Integrated Climate-Smart Agriculture and Land Restoration which aimed at restoring 50,000 hectares of degraded land across Nigeria while generating 2,000 dollars to 3,000 dollars per hectare in farmer income.

“Climate-Smart Greenhouses that establish a controlled environment farming to enable year-round crop production and ensure food stability despite changing weather conditions.

“Bamboo Value Chain Development to promote eco-friendly construction, carbon sequestration and sustainable livelihoods through bamboo cultivation.

“Methanol Fuel Production and Clean Cooking Initiative adoption to replace biomass and fossil fuel dependency by Expanding Low Pressure Compressed Natural Gas (LPCNG) which affects 90 per cent of Nigerian households.”

The minister also listed the Integrated Biodigester Network that transformed organic waste into biogas and fertilisers, reducing greenhouse emissions by 300,000 tonnes annually.

He said that the Integrated Biodigester Network also provided clean energy to no fewer than 10,000 households. (NAN)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

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