From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has said that Nigeria is currently developing a robust Green Methanol Industrial Complex, the largest in Africa, and is seeking Brazilian partnership in design, certification, and feedstock optimisation for the socio-economic development of the country.
Chief Nnaji made this statement when the Ambassador of Brazil to Nigeria, Mr Carlos Garcete, paid him a courtesy visit today 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 its use as a sustainable marine fuel that will contribute to the economic diversification of the country.”
The minister pointed out that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the ministry is driving reforms that will place innovation at the centre of job creation, industrial growth, and national competitiveness for economic development.
He emphasised that the ministry is working assiduously to mechanise agro-processing and unlock the full potential of the cassava, sugarcane, and soybean value chain for the betterment of the citizenry.
Nnaji then reaffirmed that the country is ready to work closely with Brazil to co-create inclusive, sustainable, and high-impact innovation projects.
Speaking, the Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr Matthew Adepoju, 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.
Earlier, the Ambassador of Brazil to Nigeria, His Excellency Mr Carlos Garcete, acknowledged that the purpose of their visit is to deepen bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Brazil in key areas of technology, innovation-driven development, and trade relationships.
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