Sustainable Africa Initiative (SAI), at the weekend launched a Climate Risk Research Challenge in Nigeria, with a focus on agric sector and Nigerian student researchers.
The initiative, led by Climate Risk Research Foundation; Sustainable Solutions for Green Growth; The Linux Foundation’s OS-Climate; and Green Energy Mission Africa, is aimed at creating awareness about climate change and its impact on agriculture in Nigeria.
A statement by Azeez Abubakar, founder and executive director of Sustainable Solutions for Green Growth, and made available to BusinessDay, noted that the project will cut across all six geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
It added that the programme kicked off in the South Western part of the country with separate outreach at the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ibadan and College of Agriculture at Lagos State University of Science and Technology respectively.
Abubakar, who doubles as one of the Lead Consortium member, said that the SAI was committed to creating a sustainable future for Africa, with a focus on climate change and its impact on agriculture.
Abubakar further explained that the Climate Risk Research Challenge – Nigeria 2023 is open to Nigerian student researchers in relevant fields.
“Nine universities across the six geopolitical zones of the country are expected to participate in the challenge.
“Participants stand a chance to win cash prizes of up to $10,000, attend training courses, and engage with experts from across the globe.
“The challenge will also provide opportunities for students to learn about new and innovative approaches to climate research and develop their skills in the field.
“The initiative aims to empower student researchers in Nigeria to find sustainable solutions for the challenges facing the agriculture sector.
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“We believe that the Climate Risk Research Challenge will play a vital role in raising awareness about climate change and its impact on agriculture in Nigeria.
“By empowering student researchers to tackle climate change head-on, we hope to drive sustainable development and create a brighter future for Nigeria”, Abubakar said.
Another Lead Consortium member, founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Green Energy Mission Africa, Abubakar Shuiabu, said that SAI was proud to support research into climate change and its impact on agriculture in Nigeria.
Shuaibu said that the research had the potential to drive sustainable development and transform the agricultural sector in Nigeria.
“As part of our commitment to build a sustainable future for Africa, we are committed to support training and mentorship opportunities for student researchers.
“Through our network of experts, we will offer participants in the Climate Risk Research Challenge access to valuable resources, including training courses, community resources, and mentorship opportunities.
“The SAI will like to encourage all Nigerian student researchers not just in the agriculture field but in other fields such as environmental science, computer science, Geographic Information system, data science and other relevant fields to participate in the Climate Risk Research Challenge.
“We believe that this is an excellent opportunity to make a positive difference and contribute towards building a sustainable future for Nigeria,” he said.
Shuaibu gave the website for more information about the Climate Risk Research Challenge or the Sustainable Africa Initiative, as https://sustainableafricainitiative.org
The Lead Professors at the separate events, Adegbenga Adekoya and Ayodeji Salami said that the challenge would help students build capacity to solve climate challenges in their communities.
They posit that there was need to engage other fields in the university to co-develop risk and resilience models while the challenge will go a long way in improving student participation in climate research.
They added that there was need to train and mentor students, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to tackle climate change in Nigeria.
Among those present at the events were the lead professors from the University of Ibadan and Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Adegbenga Adekoya, and Ayodeji Salami, dean, College of Agriculture Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Oludare Adenubi , University members of staff, students amongst others.
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