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From Okwe Obi Abuja
Thirteen Nigerian universities are to benefit €753,000 from the Cooperation and Cultural Department of the French Embassy Fund on plastic waste management.
The universities are Alex Ekwueme Federal University; Bayero University, Kano; Nile University of Nigeria; Covenant University; Babcock University; University of Jos; Obafemi Awolowo University; University of Ibadan; University of Lagos; Yaba Technology; University of Calabar; University of Nsukka; and the University of Delta.
Acting French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jean-Francois Hasperue, told journalists yesterday in Abuja, that the project would focus on developing innovative and adaptive ideas for reducing plastic waste and enhancing campus sustainable practices.
According to him, universities are at the forefront of shaping the future and the project is a significant step towards a more sustainable world.
Hasperue said: “There are projects on the ground that are very important, but we have to ensure the follow-up of the Paris Agreement and make sure that the engagements taken at that location are fulfilled and followed up. And in that endeavour, we are partnering with many countries.
“We chose African countries because we believe fighting climate change deserves solidarity between the most economically advanced countries and the less economically advanced countries.
“We have put in place, through the Paris Pact for People and Planets, a system where we have engaged in funding up to $1bn, and the French contribution will be $6bn, more or less, so more than what was expected from France, to fund projects on the ground to combat poverty and at the same time fight climate change, the effects of pollution, and biodiversity erosion.”
He added that the components of the project for deployment within the next 18 months include delivering of two micro plants co-designed by and for two universities, research initiatives in innovative solutions for sustainable development, circular economy, qualitative value chain, gender inclusivity, and entrepreneurship to support the research projects, and an exchange programme between Nigerian and French researchers.
Also, the Science and Higher Education Attache, Sebastien Bede, who described plastic waste is a “pressing global issue,” that should not be ignored, stated that the objective of the project is to build cooperation between French and Nigerian universities.
“Through this project, we aim to not only reduce the plastic footprint on Nigerian campuses but also to inspire a new generation of environmental stewards who can champion the cause for a plastic-free world starting with their immediate communities.
“I also see the opportunity that we organise a study tour in Nigerian universities, French universities, business schools, and engineering schools, to discuss cooperation, whether it’s for plastic recycling or any other areas of cooperation. We are willing to open the cooperation to more universities in Nigeria.
“A key component of this project is sustainability and that’s why I was mentioning that we have also co-designed a business model for these microplants. The total amount for this project is €753,000,” he said.
On her part, Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof Folasade Ogunsola, said: “What drives you might not drive a young person, so how do we make waste collection and the environment fashionable?
“I think it’s with the young we can find that and we have to ask them, we have to test whatever hypothesis we have, and that you can only do on the campus in the university, so it’s a lot of work.
“We have already started it at the University of Lagos, we do know that students will do it, but not every student is doing it. Right now, with what we already do, we make about a million from waste but it’s ploughed back, and we still have a lot of waste to get rid of.
“We are looking forward to the micro plans because it’s going to make what we do more efficient, we already have things to help with sorting but it is not enough.
“So working with the French government and the other French universities, we will be able to up our game, improve the technology, and we’re looking at technology that’s robust that we can use in any way.”
