From Charity Nwakaudu Abuja
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Geoffrey Uche 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 optimisation for socio-economic development of the country.
He made the statement when the Brazilian ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Carlos Gracete visited him yesterday in his office in Abuja.
Methanol fuel is an alternative biofuel for internal combustion and other engines.
According to Uche, 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.’
The Minister pointed out that under President Bola Tunibu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Ministry was driving reforms that would place innovation at the centre of job creation, industrial growth and national competitiveness for economic development.
He emphasised that the Ministry was working assiduously to mechanise agro-processing and unlock the full potential of cassava, sugarcane and soybean value chain for the betterment of the citizenry.
Nnaji then reaffirmed that the country was ready to work closely with Brazil to co-create inclusive sustainable and high impact innovation projects.
Director-General of National Space Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Matthew Adepoju, said that the Agency was expanding Nigeria’s satellites capabilities, and therefore, seeks collaboration with Brazil’s national Institutes for Space Agencies on areas of remote sensing, climate monitoring, land use analytics, b security and disaster response.
Earlier, Mr. Garcete has acknowledged that the purpose of their visit was to deepen bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Brazil in key areas with technology, innovation driven development and trade relationship.