Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji has said that Nigeria is currently developing a robust Green Methanol Industrial Complex, the highest in Africa and is seeking Brazilian partnership in design, certification and feedstock optimization for socio-economic development of the country.
The Minister made this statement when the Ambassador of Brazil to Nigeria Mr. Carlos Gracete paid him a courtesy visit in his Office. Methanol fuel is an alternative biofuel for internal combustion and other engines.
According to the Minister, methanol has chemical and physical fuel properties similar to ethanol and current research now focuses on the use as a sustainable marine fuel that will contribute to economic diversification of the country.
He pointed out that under President Bola Ahmed Tunibu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Ministry is driving reforms that will place innovation at the center of job creation, industrial growth and national competitiveness for economic development.
He emphasized that the Ministry is working assiduously to mechanize agro-processing and unlock the full potential of cassava, sugarcane and soybean value chain for the betterment of the citizens
The Minister reaffirmed that the country is ready to work closely with Brazil to co-create inclusive, sustainable and high impact innovation projects.
The Director-General of the National Space Development Research Agency, NASRDA, Dr. Matthew Adepoju while speaking, said that the Agency is expanding Nigeria’s satellite capabilities and therefore seeks collaboration with Brazil’s national Institutes for Space Agencies on areas of Remote Sensing, Climate Monitoring, Land Use Analytics, Border Security and Disaster Response.
The ambassador of Brazil to Nigeria, Mr. Carol Garcete, acknowledged that the purpose of their visit was to deepen bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Brazil in key areas through technology, innovation driven development and trade relationships.
