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Nigerian oil sector content performance level hits 56%, says NCDMB

Michael Simire
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Nigerian oil sector content performance level hits 56%, says NCDMB

The Nigerian Content performance level in the oil and gas industry has hit 56 percent in 2024, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Felix Omatsola Ogbe, has said.

NCDMB
The Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe in a group photograph with Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperipe Ekpo, Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and other dignitaries at the NCDMB exhibition booth at the ongoing 13th Practical Nigerian Content Forum holding in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

He spoke on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at the 13th Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Conference and Exhibition holding at the NCDMB Conference Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, attended by top government officials including the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakp; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo.

Other industry leaders in attendance included the Chairperson, Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan; chairperson, House of Representatives Committee on Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring, Boma Goodhead; the Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), Dr. Umar Farouk Ibrahim; and chief executives of international and indigenous oil and gas companies and operating and regulatory agencies in the petroleum sector.

The Nigerian Content performance level is calculated on year-on-year basis by the Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate of the NCDMB and is anchored on the ongoing projects in the upstream, midstream and downstream segments of the oil and gas industry.

Data is aggregated from total amounts expended on projects and the Nigerian Content component of the annual spend. The data is mined from statutory reports submitted by companies and the integrity those data is verified during Nigerian Content performance reviews and workshops and they must sync with the Nigerian Content Compliance Certificates (NCCC) on projects approved by the Board.

The Nigerian Content level stood at 54 percent as at December 2022 and 2023, increasing significantly from 26 percent in 2016 before the introduction of the Nigerian Content 10-year strategic roadmap. The latest increase marks a significant milestone in the Board’s march toward 70 percent Nigerian Content by 2027 as set out in its 10-Year Strategic Road Map (2017-2027).

The NCDMB boss also revealed that 312 Nigerian Content Plans have thus far been approved by the Board and that 402 Nigerian Content Compliance Certificates (NCCCs) were issued. Also, that the new Project Certification and Authorisation Directorate (PCAD) guidelines has reduced the Board’s touchpoints from nine to five, and the contracting cycle cut to six months, he confirmed.

Ogbe and a representative of the Bank of Industry (BoI) used the PNC Forum to sign an agreement on the Revised Nigerian Content Community Contractors Financing Scheme. The Fund addresses a critical challenge faced by local contractors in accessing much-needed funds for contracts awarded by oil and gas companies.

Under the new product paper for the fund, N15 billion has been earmarked for the fund and “the single obligor limit has been increased from N20 million to N100 million,” Ogbe hinted.

On the Nigerian Content Academy recently established by the Board for training to prepare Nigerians through a range of courses that cover every aspect of the oil and gas industry, from upstream exploration to downstream processing, he said new career paths and economic opportunities are being opened for local communities. The Academy was unveiled by the Ministers as part of activities marking the Forum.

The Executive Secretary gave an insight into the Back-to-the-Creeks Initiative which focuses on taking Nigerian Content benefits to local communities, especially developing basic educational facilities in communities and equipping youths in host communities with the skills needed to meet industry demands, and thus directly supporting the local content drive.

In his address, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, commended NCDMB for systematically aligning its local content policy initiatives with Federal Government’s gas development agenda.

The Minister listed the NCDMB’s support for compressed natural gas (CNG) projects, modular gas processing plants, manufacturing plants for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, LPG depots, LPG terminals, LPG storage and bottling plants, gas gathering facilities, smart gas and detector alarm services, as critically important areas where the Board’s strategic intervention has made huge gains for the country.

He disclosed that “in the last 12 months, two critical gas projects were completed,” namely, SEPLAT Assa North and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Ohaji South, with a combined capacity of 600 million standard cubic feet/day. Also, the 300 MMscfd Kwale Gas Gathering (KGG) Hub and Injection Facility, jointly executed by Xenergy Limited and the NCDMB, were commissioned within the same period.

While reiterating that “gas will be the mainstay of Nigeria’s energy shift” as the world transits to renewables, he stated that government is “giving local businesses a chance to engage in gas distribution, processing, and power generation.”

With specific reference to the PNC Forum, he said the theme “Defining the Next Frontier for Nigerian Content Implementation” is “a call to action and a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging our local capabilities to drive energy security, economic growth, and environment sustainability.”

He charged the organisers of the Forum, namely, NCDMB and DMG Events Limited, to ensure that the event functions as “a spur for practical ideas that move our country closer to a promising and sustainable energy future.”

Also speaking at the event, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, commended the NCDMB for organising the Forum and for significant milestones recorded thus far since its establishment in 2010. He revealed that wherever he has been across Africa for oil and gas-related events, other countries want to come to Nigeria to learn from its local content success story.

On divestments by international oil and gas companies (IOCs) in the country, he said there is no reason to be alarmed as indigenous operating companies have adequately filled the gaps and thus significantly increased the country’s stake in the industry. He said the affected IOCs have not left the country but simply moved their investments and operations from onshore to deep offshore.

The Minister urged industry players to be strategic in their thinking, noting that “quality, standards and capacity developed have to be sustained” if the country is to be able to sustain the gains made so far.

With regard to strategies to deal with the decline in funding of oil and gas projects in Africa, in the wake of the global de-emphasis of fossil fuels, the Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), Dr. Umar Farouk Ibrahim, said the Africa Energy Bank (AEB) would be taking off in the second quarter of 2025, with the signing and ratification of the Establishment Agreement by the required number of countries. Its headquarters is to be located in Abuja.

In his remarks, the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, commended the NCDMB and industry stakeholders for putting together the event, and for the collaboration that has yielded remarkable developments in the petroleum industry.

He, however, reminded the industry captains that Bayelsa State accounts for about 60 per cent of the gas feedstock for the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Project, Bonny, which has now progressed to Train 7, and thus deserves to have a train built within its territory.

In the organiser’s welcome address, Mrs. Wemimo Oyelana, Country Director (Nigeria) and Portfolio Director (Africa), DMG Nigeria Limited, said the theme of the Forum was “designed to spark forward-looking and transformative discussions,” and that “As the Nigerian energy sector continues to evolve, it is critical to address the next steps in advancing Nigerian Content.”

Other speakers included the Chairperson, Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan; her counterpart in the House of Representatives, Boma Goodhead; the Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu; the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari; Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, and his Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed.

Civil society alliance urges South African govt to ban Terbufos, HHPS

Michael Simire
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Civil society alliance urges South African govt to ban Terbufos, HHPS

A group of organisations, academics, and unions on Thursday, December 5, 2024, sent a letter of demand to the South African Minister of Agriculture, Mr. John Steenhuisen, requiring him to immediately ban the lethal chemical that has been implicated in the deaths of six children – Terbufos.

John Steenhuisen
South African Minister of Agriculture, Mr. John Steenhuisen

At least 22 people have reportedly died from ingesting highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) in recent months – of which Terbufos is one – in food-related incidents. Many of these are children from impoverished neighbourhoods.

In a 16-page letter of demand, the petitioners laid out a history of ongoing abject regulatory failure and commercial conflicts of interest in the governance of hazardous substances that have resulted in highly toxic, restricted chemicals ending up in domestic settings and informal food outlets.

They stated: “HHPs have historically had particularly devastating consequences for children. In 2023, experts published a paper showing that in one Cape Town mortuary, out of 50 children whose cause of death was suspected to be due to pesticides and for whom toxicological tests were conducted, 29 had died from Terbufos poisoning. Four others had died from the organophosphates methamidophos and diazinon. Of these deaths, 42.6% were children under five years and 40.7% were adolescents between 15 and 18. It is not only death by poisoning that is of concern, but also the long-term consequences of organophosphate poisoning for child development.

“There is increasing evidence that children surviving organophosphate poisoning suffer significant adverse neurodevelopmental impacts that will be lifelong. Professor Leslie London from the University of Cape Town’s School of Public Health stressed that the Minister of Agriculture must note the Constitutional imperative that the child’s best interests are of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child.”

The letter of demand also points out that even legal, registered use of these chemicals in the agriculture sector leads to loss of life and chronic health impacts for vulnerable peoples – particularly for farm workers and farm dwellers. The alliance argues that the only way to stop further loss of life and long-term poisoning impacts is to remove these toxins from the market.

“Therefore, we further demand that the Minister bans all HHPs that are already banned in the European Union within six months. The Minister has been put on notice to implement these actions or face legal action within 21 days.”

The African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) addressed the letter in its name, as well as on behalf of a coalition of farm workers and civil society organisations including the Women on Farms Project (WFP), the Commercial Stevedoring, Agricultural and Allied Workers Union (CSAAWU), Groundwork, Friends of the Earth SA, Trust for Community Outreach and Education (TCOE); Khanyisa Education and Development Trust (Khanyisa), and several academic experts working in the public health sector for decades concerning pesticides.

Director of the African Centre for Biodiversity, Mariam Mayet, says, “We have reached a point of no return. We are done talking. We are no longer prepared to tolerate corporate impunity and government inaction and complicity. We are here to challenge the notion that it’s okay to sacrifice the health of our people and the environment at the altar of corporate profits.”

General secretary of CSAAWU, Deneco Dube, comments, “Farm workers are forced to work with these highly hazardous pesticides daily and no one is enforcing their rights to health and safety. When they fall sick due to pesticide exposure, the bosses say it’s because of drugs and alcohol. They get no compensation or help with medical bills; they can lose their jobs and homes. It is a lie that labels can make poisons safe, they must be banned.”

HHPs, including Terbufos

In 2015, the international community adopted a resolution that recognises HHPs as an issue of concern and calls for concerted action to address them.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “pesticides are inherently hazardous, and among them, a relatively small number of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) cause disproportionate harm to the environment and human health including severe environmental hazards, high acute and chronic toxicity”.

Terbufos is classified by the WHO as an extremely hazardous class 1a organophosphate pesticide and cholinesterase inhibitor. Terbufos has neurotoxic effects and is particularly dangerous to children and adolescents. It has been banned for use in the EU since 2009, although some countries in the EU apply double standards and continue to allow the production and export of Terbufos, especially to developing countries. 

Terbufos has been banned in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) by Angola, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, the Seychelles, Tanzania, and Zambia. Botswana’s ban came into effect on December 1. Zimbabwe has not imported any Terbufos since 2002.

South Africa’s townships have long experienced problems with massive pest infestations and the selling of pesticides on streets and in informal markets. Street pesticides are poisonous substances that are legally registered for agricultural uses but are decanted illegally into unlabelled beverage bottles or packets for home use. Or they might be illegally packaged pesticides imported into SA and not registered for use. Typically, they are acquired from agricultural cooperatives, garden shops, and hardware stores.

This restricted substance – Terbufos – is registered exclusively for use in the agricultural sector, including for use on maize, potatoes, dry beans, and sorghum. However, it is widely available and can be bought in spaza shops and through street traders – as a so-called “street pesticide” for domestic use in townships and informal settlements to control rats, as a result of the collapse of essential service delivery to the urban poor.

End double standards and environmental racism

In 2023, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Toxins, Dr Marcos Orellana, made an exploratory visit to South Africa. In his formal report, published in July 2024, Dr Orellana observed that regulatory failure and corporate capture are resulting in human rights and environmental rights violations. He reported that historically disadvantaged communities are disproportionately impacted by toxins and pollution.

He also questioned the South African government’s lax attitude towards HHPs, saying, “Despite the scientific evidence of their harms and the fact that they cannot be safely used, many HHPs are still legal and in use in SA. In 2022, there were 34 reported cases of poisoning and five deaths in Gauteng caused by an organophosphate, likely Terbufos. Paraquat is another example of a pesticide that is widely available and responsible for serious health impacts and deaths.

“These two pesticides, amongst many others, are banned in the EU, yet they are still produced in European countries for export, particularly to developing countries. This practice reproduces long-standing racist and colonial patterns of exploitation. Equally, the South African Government must protect its people and not contribute to reinforcing these double standards.”

Constitutional obligation to ban Terbufos and HHPs

The coalition of organisations petitioning Minister Steenhuisen submitted that, in the current circumstances, he (Steenhuisen) has a Constitutional obligation to issue a ban on Terbufos immediately, and other HHPs within a fixed six months, for implementation in the public interest, and to protect the right to life and right to an environment of unknown numbers of persons who may be exposed to and possibly killed by this chemical if such bans are not implemented.

Further, said the alliance, to protect the public, the Minister of Agriculture must take steps to prevent Terbufos and HHPs from being substituted by an equally toxic agricultural remedy once they are banned.

The coalition called on the Minister to, “indicate his willingness to undertake the steps set out in this letter within 21 days of the date of this letter, failing which we reserve our rights to bring legal action to compel the Minister to take these steps. We trust this will not be necessary.”

COP16: Private sector urged to step up investment in healthy lands

Michael Simire
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COP16: Private sector urged to step up investment in healthy lands

Hundreds of private sector representatives from finance, fashion, agri-food to pharmaceuticals on Wednesday December 4, 2024, convened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to discuss their role in ensuring sustainable land, soil and water management. They responded to a call to action launched by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16).

COP16
A session at the UNCCD COP16

The Business 4 Land Forum brought together high-level decision makers and CEOs from companies that are particularly land-and-water-dependent, including firms in the agrifood, pharma, energy, textiles, ICT, and finance and insurance sectors. Land degradation and drought pose serious risks for businesses and investors, meaning it is in their best interest to mitigate them by contributing to global efforts for healthy lands and drought resilience.

The event was part of Business 4 Land (B4L), an initiative launched by UNCCD earlier this year in Davos with InTent – a platform that can quickly mobilise an influential and diverse group of decision-makers for change – to engage and support private actors in sustainable land management. It is supported by the COP16 Presidency, the World Economic Forum, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, ChangeNOW, the Sustainable Fibre Alliance, the International Chamber of Commerce, the UN Global Compact, and the Saudi Environment Fund. 

“COP16 has attracted the largest-ever participation of the private sector to a UNCCD COP to date, providing a critical momentum to make sustainable land management a core part of corporate and financial strategies,” said the Executive Secretary of UNCCD, Ibrahim Thiaw. “Shifting towards nature-positive operations, supply chains, and investments, is not only about environmental sustainability, but about the long-term profitability and resilience of businesses.”

The B4L Forum brought together 60 high-level speakers and 400 guests; among them, more than 40 corporations that recognise the urgent need to address land degradation and drought and acknowledge their responsibility in ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources as a business and social imperative.  

B4L’s call to action urges companies to contribute to one or more of the Business 4 Land (B4L) initiative’s pillars: promoting sustainable practices across business operations; supporting finance solutions; and advocating for better land and water management policies. 

“$44 trillion, over half of global GDP, is at risk from nature loss. It is imperative for business to explore innovations that can halt and reverse land degradation while unlocking opportunities for business growth,” said Gim Huay Neo, Managing Director at 1T.org, World Economic Forum. “Through collaboration with governments and other stakeholders, business can accelerate progress on land restoration for a more resilient future for all.”

André Hoffmann, member of the high-level advisory committee of COP16 and founder of InTent and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors, said: “The private sector, which can play vital role in the sustainable transition we urgently need, must see nature not as a resource to exploit but as our life-support system. The B4L Forum was an opportunity to forge new coalitions to restore land and build resilience. By shifting from extraction to collaboration, we can drive investments in nature-based solutions that secure human prosperity and planetary health.”

The forum highlighted the need to align business, policies, and finance to protect land as a critical asset. Participants discussed how to account for the corporate impacts on land, how to mitigate the risks of land degradation – for example, by setting measurable targets both in direct operations and across supply chains – and by reporting on progress.

New guidance for the private sector

The Business 4 Land initiative launched a guide to help corporate actors navigate land-related disclosures and target-setting and align their strategies with national policies and global goals for a fair land transition. 

“Corporate disclosures are essential for land-positive businesses. Today, many companies still lack a clear understanding of their land-related impacts and dependencies, leaving them vulnerable to significant risks,” said Razan Al Mubarak, Co-Chair of the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and President of IUCN. 

The report, “Corporate Disclosures and Target-Setting on Land Guide”, was developed together with the (TNFD) and the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN), in consultation with actors like the WEF and the COP16 Presidency.  

The costs of land degradation and drought are steep. For example, U.S. farmers may face short-term costs of up to USD 40 per acre for regenerative agriculture practices, but long-term profits can increase by up to 120%. B4L’s guide supports companies in harnessing these opportunities.

“In a context of rising nature risks, businesses have a key role to plan in taking action for land and reversing the trend of degradation, water scarcity and biodiversity loss impacting our societies and economies, across value chains and industries,” concluded a member of the Executive Committee of the World Economic Forum Nicole Schwab.

Philippe Zaouati, CEO of the MIROVA sustainable investment fund, said: “Companies stand to gain significantly by transforming their value chains to incorporate sustainable practices, not only to reduce their impact on nature but also to seize the economic opportunities that arise. Mobilising funding for land restoration requires a concerted effort by the public and private sectors. By working together, we can create an enabling environment for restoration, which is essential to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050 and a sustainable future.”

Henri Bruxelles, CSO of Danone, said: “The livelihoods of more than 2.5 billion people, many of them smallholder farmers, depend on agriculture, which is both a significant contributor to climate change and one of the most impacted by its impacts.

“Collaborating across sectors of society is vital to address the intertwined climate and water challenges; guarantee food security and nutrition; and secure the livelihoods of the communities that feed the world; and build a sustainable food system.”

Erin Billman, Co-lead of SBTN’s Land Hub & Executive Director of the Science Based Targets Network: “Connecting corporate actions and their science-based targets to party commitments under the UN conventions is an important lever in delivering the promise of global targets.”

As part of the Land of Opportunities Pitch Competition that took place on Wednesday at COP16, Kenyan eco-preneur Maryanne Gichanga, CEO of AgriTech Analytics Ltd, won a $50,000 grant provided by InTent. AgriTech Analytics Ltd is an innovative agricultural technology whose mission is to transform African agriculture by leveraging AI-powered satellite data analytics and solar-powered IoT sensors to empower smallholder farmers.

Govt, AU-IBAR unveil programme to reshape Nigeria’s pastoral landscape

Michael Simire
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Govt, AU-IBAR unveil programme to reshape Nigeria’s pastoral landscape

In a ground-breaking move that promises to reshape the pastoral livestock marketing landscape, the African Pastoral Market Development Platform (APMDP), an initiative hosted by African Union’s Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and the Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled the 1st Analytics and Implementers’ Engagement Workshop integrating women and youth deeply into the pastoral livestock value chain.

AU-IBAR
A cross section of stakeholders during the 1st African Pastoral Markets Development (APMD) Analytics and Implementers Engagement Workshop held in Abuja

This follows the ongoing Four-day Analytics and Implementers’ Engagement workshop held in Abuja, which underscores the critical importance of inclusive market development in pastoral communities. This strategic initiative represents a significant step towards transforming traditional livestock marketing approaches by empowering previously marginalised stakeholders- women and the youth.

The programme’s core focus is multifaceted, addressing private sector integration into pastoral livestock chain, enabling policy and regulatory environment that have historically restricted women and youth participation in pastoral livestock markets. For instance, financial inclusion programmes, a component of the interventions, seeks to introduce specialised micro-credit schemes designed specifically for women and youth entrepreneurs, complemented by comprehensive training in livestock marketing and agribusiness management. 

Additionally, data ecosystems and diffusion platform initiatives will be established to bridge pastoral knowledge gaps and provide critical market access tools and data for process planning and decision making in livestock marketing.

Further, technology transfer stands at the forefront of this transformative approach. Mobile-based market information systems will be implemented, providing real-time market intelligence and advisory services to young pastoral marketers. 

Private sector integration and capacity building represent another crucial dimension of the initiative. Innovative and evidence-based business models and best practices that would connect experienced livestock traders with emerging entrepreneurs, creating knowledge transfer pathways with particular emphasis on supporting cooperative development.

Dr. Winnie Lai, Director, Animal Husbandry Services at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, emphasised the transformative potential of the initiative: “By focusing on women and youth, we’re not just developing a market – we’re building sustainable rural economic ecosystems that can drive national agricultural development.” This perspective underscores the initiative’s broader socio-economic objectives beyond mere market participation.

Women livestock traders like Halima Osman from Kaduna State are expressing optimism about the programme. “This initiative represents more than an economic opportunity,” she noted. “It’s recognition of our potential to drive innovation in pastoral markets.”

Such perspectives highlight the profound psychological and social impact of the initiative, which goes beyond economic empowerment to validate the capabilities of women and youth.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed robust commitment to the initiative in support of its implementation.

Looking forward, the APMDP initiative represents a holistic approach to market development, recognising that sustainable agricultural transformation requires inclusive strategies that empower historically marginalised groups. Future programme phases will focus on continuous monitoring and impact assessment, scaling successful interventions, and creating replicable models that can be adapted across other African pastoral regions.

As this ambitious programme unfolds, it stands as a testament to the potential of collaborative, inclusive approaches in agricultural development. By recognising and nurturing the talents of women and youth, the initiative not only promises to revolutionise pastoral livestock marketing but also to reshape economic opportunities in rural Nigerian communities.

By Amadi Allela

Digital soil maps: Unlocking agronomy solutions for West African farmers

Michael Simire
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Digital soil maps: Unlocking agronomy solutions for West African farmers

West Africa and the Sahel, a region where millions of smallholder farmers struggle with low yields and soil degradation, faces a looming threat of food insecurity. The delicate balance of these communities is further disrupted by climate change, which compounds the issue of poor soil health.

Soil map
Soil map

However, a glimmer of hope emerges in the form of digital soil health and fertility maps, a technological innovation poised to revolutionise agriculture in the region.

These cutting-edge tools offer precise, data-driven solutions to improve soil management, boost productivity, and enhance climate resilience. By integrating vast datasets from soil samples, satellite imagery, and geospatial analysis, digital soil maps provide a comprehensive understanding of soil health across the region.

This granular level of insight empowers farmers to make informed decisions, such as selecting appropriate crop varieties, optimising planting schedules, and tailoring irrigation strategies to local conditions. Tools like AgWise, which leverage these maps, deliver localized advice directly to farmers, enabling them to mitigate climate risks and increase their yields.

Beyond climate resilience, digital soil maps contribute to environmental sustainability by minimising the overuse of fertilisers. By identifying specific nutrient deficiencies, farmers can apply precise amounts of fertiliser, reducing environmental harm such as soil acidification and water contamination. This precision farming approach promotes sustainable land management practices, preserving soil health for future generations.

The economic impact of digital soil maps is equally significant. By adopting data-driven practices, farmers can achieve yield increases of up to 40% and profit gains of 20%. This translates into improved livelihoods for individual farmers and, on a larger scale, reduced food import costs for nations, bolstering regional food security.

The development of digital soil maps relies on advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning, which analyse complex datasets to generate detailed and accurate maps. These tools are complemented by mobile apps and digital platforms that provide user-friendly access to soil data and recommendations for farmers and extension agents. Collaborative efforts between organisations like the International Soil Reference and Information Centre (ISRIC), iSDAsoil, and the Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel (the Hub) contribute to the accuracy and reach of these maps.

While the potential of digital soil maps is immense, challenges remain, ensuring high-quality, standardised data collection and sharing is crucial. Unified databases and partnerships between governments, research institutions, and the private sector are essential to fill data gaps. Additionally, investments in digital infrastructure and capacity-building programmes are necessary to enable stakeholders, from policymakers to farmers, to utilize these maps effectively.

The African Union’s 10-Year Action Plan for Fertiliser and Soil Health recognises the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships to drive investments in soil management. The Hub’s strategy is framed by the priorities of the Fertiliser and Soil Health Roadmap2023 and the Nairobi Declaration from the Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Summit 2024.

“The release of improved digital soil maps is not just a technological breakthrough—it’s a testament to the collective resolve of governments, researchers, and farmers to transform agriculture in West Africa and the Sahel. Fertile soil is the foundation of food security, and these maps bring us closer to that goal,” says Bernard Vanlauwe, Deputy Director General, Research for Development at IITA and chair of the Hub consortium steering committee.

As the updated digital soil maps are set to launch in early 2025, the Regional Hub is actively working on expanding mapping efforts, enhancing data accuracy, and supporting the development and adoption of climate-smart agronomy tools like AgWise. AgWise is a freely available, open-source tool that provides data-driven, localised, and climate-specific agronomic recommendations. It combines agronomic and geospatial datasets from field trials, market analyses, and open data sources to deliver tailored advice on optimal planting times, cultivar selection, fertiliser types and quantities, and good agronomic practices.

Currently supporting eight crops, including cassava, maize, rice, potato, and wheat, in key African countries, AgWise integrates soil, weather, and satellite data from sources like ISRIC to contextualise recommendations for specific growing conditions. Designed to empower smallholder farmers, the platform offers actionable insights to improve productivity and profitability, while its open-source nature enables further development by the global agricultural community.

Governments, donors, and private-sector stakeholders have a crucial role to play in realising the full potential of digital soil maps. By investing in digital infrastructure and capacity building, implementing policies that incentivise the use of these tools, and fostering regional collaboration, they can contribute to a future where West Africa and the Sahel achieve resilient, sustainable, and inclusive agricultural growth, ensuring food security and prosperity for generations to come.

“Agricultural productivity and soil resilience in West Africa and the Sahel aren’t just about food security – they are foundational to economic stability and climate resilience,” notes Vanlauwe.

As we approach the release of the new maps, the promise of data-driven agriculture in West Africa has never been more tangible.

By Barbra Sehlule Muzata, IITA

SPP appoints Peter Ekweozoh as Senior Fellow on Technology Innovation

Michael Simire
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SPP appoints Peter Ekweozoh as Senior Fellow on Technology Innovation

The Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) has announced the appointment of Dr. Peter Ekweozoh as a Senior Fellow on Technology Innovation. In this role, Dr Ekweozoh will lead SPP’s efforts in advancing innovation and technology diffusion in the areas of environmental research and policy formulation.

Dr. Peter Ekweozoh
Dr. Peter Ekweozoh

Welcoming Dr. Ekweozoh to the team, Mr. Edwin Orugbo, CEO of SPP, said: “His appointment reinforces our commitment to leveraging technology to drive transformative solutions. His expertise will help in advancing our vision of a prosperous future for both people and planet through innovative technology-driven climate solutions.”

Dr. Ekweozoh, a member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, was a director, environmental specialist, researcher and policy strategist at the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology. With over 25 years of experience in policy making, strategy and implementation, Dr. Ekweozoh has made great impact on Nigeria’s environmental landscape.

Presently, he serves as the Principal Partner, CHERIVEN Consulting Group, as well as the Chief Executive Officer, Methanol and Biomass Integrated Nigeria Limited, a clean energy company with expertise in the production and marketing of Hydrogen Fuel Cells in Africa.

During his tour of duty at the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, he pioneered, as the National Project Coordinator, the first comprehensive conduct of Nigeria’s Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in the Agriculture, Energy and Industry sectors of the economy.

As a key output of the TNA Project, the first National Technology Action Plan was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on May 23, 2023, as a framework for accessing global Climate Finance. As a Methanol Development Expert, he coordinated the first National Policy on Methanol Fuel Production Technology approved by FEC on October 23, 2019.

Previously, he served on the Boards of several parastatals, including the National Environmental Standards Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Nigerian Institute of Soil Science (NISS), the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), and the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI).

From 2009-2015, Dr Ekweozoh led the Technology Transfer Negotiating Team of the Nigerian Delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties, contributing to key discussions on global environmental technology collaboration.

As an artificial intelligence expert specialising in Microsoft Copilot, Dr. Ekweozoh’s multidisciplinary skills cutting across renewable energy technologies will greatly contribute to building smart climate infrastructure in Nigeria.

Reacting to his appointment, Dr. Ekweozoh said: “I am deeply honoured to join the Society for Planet and Prosperity as Senior Fellow on Technology Innovation. This role presents a unique opportunity to advance our collective efforts in environmental research and policy formulation through harnessing the power of technology. I am excited to lead SPP’s initiatives in this area, leveraging my experience to drive impactful solutions, and look forward to collaborating with diverse stakeholders to foster inclusive and transformative change.”

Speaking on the appointment, the President and Chairman, Board of Directors, Society for Planet and Prosperity, Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, said: “It is an immense privilege to have Dr. Peter Ekweozoh join the Society for Planet and Prosperity. His wealth of experience will add great value to our organisation and the work we do. We look forward to working with him to further enhance our impact on sustainable policy development and implementation in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.”

The Society for Planet and Prosperity is a leading Nigerian NGO dedicated to sustainable policy research, climate change advocacy, and policy development at the subnational, national, regional and global levels. It focuses on fostering inclusive participation of all stakeholders, including local communities in the sustainable management of Africa’s environmental resources.

The organisation has been at the forefront of environmental research and initiatives, producing cutting-edge data and reports on policy frameworks, environmental monitoring and risk impact assessment. It also undertakes environmental performance ranking of governments and major companies in order to drive corporate social responsibility.

NES FCT chapter unveils plans to induct new members to promote sustainability

Michael Simire
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NES FCT chapter unveils plans to induct new members to promote sustainability

The Nigerian Environmental Society’s (NES) federal capital territory (FCT) branch has announced its readiness to welcome new members into its network. This gesture is a clear reflection of the society’s efforts to deliver on her mandate of ensuring a sustainable future for both the current and future generations.

Dr. Efegbidiki Okobia
Dr. Efegbidiki Okobia, NES’s national president

Scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2024, in Abuja, the event is expected to bring together a diverse group of environmental professionals, policymakers, advocates, and key stakeholders from across the FCT to deliberate on how to achieve this goal and foster national development.

It will also serve as a platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and the celebration of collective achievements in environmental advocacy, the association said in a circular released on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

Keynote speakers from a variety of sectors, including government agencies, academia, business enterprises, and non-governmental organisations, have been invited to attend and share their knowledge to ensure justice at the end of the noble exercise. These experts will provide insights into developing trends, technology, and best practices in environmental management, both in Nigeria and globally.

Professional unity and cooperation are critical cornerstones in stakeholders’ combined efforts to address the country’s environmental crisis. Dr. Efegbidiki Okobia, the NES’s national president, will focus on these issues during the programme, emphasising the importance and necessity of adopting a multi-sectoral approach to addressing complex challenges such as climate resilience, green energy adoption, and environmental education.

Leke Emmanuel, Chairman of the NES FCT chapter, expressed hope for the society’s future and its rising impact in shaping national environmental discourse.

Thus, he continued, the induction of the new members represents the association’s dedication to growing its influence and reach.

“It is an opportunity to equip professionals with the knowledge, skills, and networks necessary to lead innovative environmental projects and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable Nigeria,” he said.

The chapter’s leader went on to highlight his organisation’s ongoing efforts to engage policymakers and stakeholders in formulating effective solutions for tackling environmental degradation, supporting renewable energy, and raising public awareness about environmental concerns.

Similarly, Dr. Jacob Okobi, Chairman of the Publicity Committee, believes that the newly inducted members will not only help in advancing the NES’s goal but will also serve as a critical turning point in the society’s efforts to create a strong network of professionals who can spearhead environmental policies and initiatives.

“They will have the opportunity to contribute to NES programmes, collaborate on innovative projects, and engage in advocacy efforts aimed at influencing policy frameworks for a sustainable future,” he noted in the press statement.

By Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja

GEF announces winners of first Innovation Window funds

Michael Simire
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GEF announces winners of first Innovation Window funds

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has selected seven projects as winners of its first Innovation Window, which will provide $12.3 million in grants to initiatives that test and pilot new solutions to stubborn challenges, from improving food systems to protecting wild cat habitats.

Carlos Manuel Rodriguez
Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, GEF CEO and Chairperson

The Innovation Window programme was launched as part of the GEF’s eighth funding cycle, to support and help road-test novel approaches, tools, and business models for complex problems related to biodiversity, climate change, pollution, and inter-related areas, engaging new and varied partners.

“The Innovation Window is a new and unique opportunity for the GEF to support highly innovative ideas together with partners from the private sector, civil society, academia, and leading research institutions,” said Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, CEO and Chairperson of the GEF.

“We are looking forward to boosting technologies, policies, and business models that can enhance the impact of the GEF’s funding to deliver global environmental benefits at scale and support a systems change towards societies and economies that are nature-positive, low-carbon, and pollution-free,” added Rodríguez.

The winning projects were chosen from an initial pool of 128 applications and cover a wide range of issues in finance, behavior change, systems transformation, technology, and tools.

Winners include a project that seeks to accelerate collaborative and adaptive approaches to address complex environmental challenges, focusing on the link between food, biodiversity, and climate. Another winning project will develop a comprehensive guidance on finance for nature-positive, with a framework to be used by investors, banks, and insurers.

Five of the projects are global in their reach, one focuses on Latin America and one on Africa. The Africa project will pioneer innovative approaches to food systems transformation. The Latin America project will help protect jaguar conservation along a vast stretch of land – known as the Jaguar Corridor – through a satellite and automated cloud-based monitoring and assessment system.

The wining projects include:

  1. C3 Labs – Collaboration for Complex Challenges: addressing the food-biodiversity-climate nexus
  2. Accelerating Rapid Transition of Subsidies and Incentives (ARTSI) Grants Mechanism
  3. Private Finance and Investments for Nature-Positive: Developing a Framework and Guidance for Measurement, Targets, and Innovative Investment Strategies on Nature
  4. Accelerating Integration, Policy Coherence, and Food Systems Investment with the TCC – Learning from Africa’s Food Systems Vanguard Countries
  5. Revolutionising Indicators of (Un)sustainable Wildlife Use and Trade by Harnessing Social Media Big Data
  6. Jaguar Corridors in the Face of Rapid Environmental Change: A Dynamic Monitoring and Assessment System for Prioritising Conservation Investments
  7. AgroWeb3 powered by LACChain: Market Access Window (European Union Deforestation Regulation Compliance).

‘Climate change goes to court’ – ICJ hearings begin in landmark case

Michael Simire
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‘Climate change goes to court’ – ICJ hearings begin in landmark case

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has begun hearings in the biggest climate change case ever, with more than 100 countries and non-governmental organisations calling for an opinion on “the obligations of States in respect to climate change”.

International Court of Justice (ICJ)
International Court of Justice (ICJ)

The two-week hearing is the result of years of lobbying by island nations who face an existential threat in rising sea levels, a phenomenon driven by an ever-warming planet.

Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh, who heads the legal team for Vanuatu, told the AP that they “want the court to confirm that the conduct that has wrecked the climate is unlawful.” Vanuatu, a small island nation in the Pacific of around 300,000 people, will be the first to present arguments before the United Nation’s highest court.

Hearings will run until December 12 and a decision is not expected until 2025. While advisory opinions issued by the ICJ are non-binding, they are legally, morally and politically significant.

The landmark climate change case began with a group of 27 law school students at the University of South Pacific in Vanuatu. They hailed from different Pacific island nations, all among the most vulnerable to the worsening effects of climate change.

Solomon Yeo, a citizen of the Solomon Islands, hatched the idea with his classmates to change international law on climate change via the ICJ. Yeo, who now serves as the campaign director for the NGO created by the groups, Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change, is attending the hearings at the Hague.

The hearing comes on the heels of an abysmal result at the recent COP29 summit, hosted in the petrostate of Azerbaijan, which saw the talks nearly collapse as fossil fuel interests loomed large and countries responsible for causing the calamitous rise in carbon dioxide levels resisted demands for financial support by nations threatened by their actions. Despite this, campaigners are quietly confident that their case at the Hague will be successful.

An advisory opinion from the ICJ would clarify legal questions related to climate change and have huge implications for litigation at the domestic, regional and international level.

“An ICJ decision carries huge weight and moral authority,” Cameron Diver, a Pacific legal expert, told the Guardian. “It would be the pinnacle of the international legal guidance that could be provided.”

Reacting to remarks of Australia and United States at the landmark ICJ Climate Case on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, Ralph Regenvanu, Special Envoy for Climate Change and Environment for The Republic of Vanuatu, stated: “Today, as sea levels rise and the impacts of climate change intensify, we cannot afford to bury our heads in the sand. Climate change is an existential threat that transcends borders, affecting all nations regardless of political ideology or geographic location.

“We are obviously disappointed by the statements made by the governments of Australia, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and China during the ICJ proceedings. These nations, some of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters, have pointed to existing treaties and commitments that have regrettably failed to motivate substantial reductions in emissions.

“Let me be clear: these treaties are essential, but they cannot be a veil for inaction or a substitute for legal accountability. There needs to be an accounting for the failure to curb emissions and the climate change impacts and human rights violation that failure has generated.

“It is particularly concerning that some of these nations, upon whom we depend for aid and support, have not acknowledged the severity of the crisis or their responsibilities under international law. Our dependency on their assistance makes it all the more critical for them to act responsibly and in solidarity with vulnerable nations like ours.

“As we have argued before the Court, the conduct responsible for climate change is not just irresponsible – it is unlawful under a range of international obligations, including those under the law of the sea, human rights law, and environmental law. The destruction of Earth’s climate system constitutes an ongoing breach of international law, and it demands immediate legal recognition and cooperative measures to turn the tides, repair the harm, and protect our futures from further destruction.

“We hold hope that our former colonial powers, including France and the United Kingdom, will recognise the gravity of this moment and support our continued self-determination. Their support in the coming days could significantly affirm their commitment to solidarity, justice, and the rule of law.

“Our appeal is to all nations, especially those with the greatest capacity and historical responsibility, to align their actions with the principles of international law and the urgent needs of our shared planet. No country can afford to keep its head in the sand any longer. The time for decisive, legally grounded action is now.”

Energy transition: Nigeria to focus on Africa for its oil, says Minister

Michael Simire
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Energy transition: Nigeria to focus on Africa for its oil, says Minister

Nigeria is to harness its oil reserves and pursue its plans to increase oil output to fill the ”yawning gap” in Africa.

Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri
Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil)

Dr Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), said this on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at the 13th Practical Nigerian Content Forum organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Lokponiri explained that no country in the world will stop the production of the fossil fuels when there are still markets for it.

Speaking on the theme “Deepening the Next Frontier for Nigerian Content Implementation”, the minister observed that even UK was still giving licenses for exploration.

“All these grammar for energy transition that say we should stop production of fossil fuel, we will never stop the production of fossil fuel in Nigeria, no country in the world will stop it.

“In 2023, UK which contributeb 4.8 per cent of global emissions, higher than the entire OPEC countries put together, entire African continent put together gave over 100 licenses to new companies for new exploration.

”America is the highest producer of fossil fuel, so why should we stop, those who are telling us to stop are themselves not stopping, so we should know that is about politics.

“Let me also use the opportunity to tell the industry players  that with the emergence of Donald Trump as U.S. President, the price of oil maybe battered.

”What I want us to do is to increase our own production, Africa already has enough market. We can produce enough fuel to supply the West African region and the entire Africa, but our biggest challenge is funding,” he said.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Obongemen Ekperikpe Ekpo, urged local businesses in the country to invest in Compressed Natural Gas (GNG) as gas will be a mainstay of economy after energy transition.

“Gas will be the mainstay of Nigeria’s energy shift, and we’re giving local businesses a chance to engage in gas distribution, processing and power generation.

”The probable replacement for PMS has been determined to be natural gas in form of CNG.

“Let me reiterate this administration’s unwavering commitment to advancing local content as a cornerstone of our energy strategy, together, we have the opportunity to built an energy industry that empowers Nigerians, strengthens our economy and contributes to the sustainable future,” he said.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Mr. Felix Ogbe, said the board has achieved 56 per cent in Nigerian Content level in 2024 compared to 26 per cent in 2016.

He stated that some of the achievements of the board include Commissioning of Amal Technologies in Idu, Abuja; the Kwale Gas Gathering facility in Delta; approval of 312 Nigerian Content Plans; and issuance of 402 Nigerian Content Compliance Certificates (NCCCs) by the board, amongst others.

By Nathan Nwakamma

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