Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has approved changes in the leadership of the state’s climate change team with a view to ramp up the push against the negative effect of climate change in the state.
Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun State
The Governor subsequently directed the abolition of the office of Senior Special Assistant on Climate Change and the redeployment of the SSA on Climate Change, Prince Moruf Adedapo, out of the sub sector to the pool of SSAs.
The Governor also directed the movement of the office of the Consultant to the State on Climate Change and Renewable Energy from the Ministry of Environment to the Governor’s Office.
The consultant, Prof Chinwe Obuaku, will henceforth be reporting to the Governor directly as a strategy to give bite to the administration’s push to fast-track the implementation of adaptation and mitigate climate actions.
As part of the leadership reforms, Governor Adeleke further directed that liaison between the state government and federal agencies as well as development partners on climate matters should be coordinated by the state consultant.
Stakeholders are also advised to relate with the state consultant on climate related matters as the office of SSA on Climate Change no longer exists.
Indigenous leaders and climate campaigners at COP29 on Thursday, November 14, 2024, launched two critical campaigns to underscore the urgent need for wealthy nations and billionaires to take responsibility for funding climate solutions through the launch of “The Tax Their Billions Dossier” and the “Energy of the People” campaign.
COP29 holds in Baku, Azerbaijan November 2024
The launch was made at a press conference that coincided with Finance Day at the COP where country negotiators discussed how to deliver the trillions needed from wealthy countries to fund the just transition and tackle the climate crisis.
Energy of the People is a community-led, decolonial campaign for energy justice in the Brazilian Amazon. It advocates for policies that increase access to clean, reliable energy while ensuring Indigenous rights are respected and protected.
The campaign highlights how Indigenous and traditional people are pioneering renewable energy solutions in the region, offering a model for a just energy transition that prioritises the needs and rights of those most affected by the climate crisis. In the Amazon, many communities still rely on diesel-powered generators for just a few hours of electricity each day.
At the same conference, campaigners launched the Tax Their Billions Dossier, calling out eight billionaires for their extreme wealth and the disproportionate role they play in the climate crisis.
The Tax Their Billions Dossier targets ultra-wealthy figures such as Bernard Arnault, the Batista Brothers, and the heirs of the BMW fortune, who are accused of paying far less in taxes than their fair share while profiting from industries that fuel the climate emergency.
According to the dossier, progressive taxes on extreme wealth could unlock trillions of dollars to help governments in the Global North finance both domestic and international climate efforts, with a focus on supporting vulnerable communities in the Global South.
The press conference coincided with actions taking place in different locations across the globe including Rio de Janeiro, Germany, the UK and France.
Speaking at the press conference, Nicolas Haeringer, Associate Director of Movement Support at 350.org, said: “Global North governments here in Baku are reluctant to pay their fair share, pretending that doing so would burden ordinary people in their countries. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The problem is a lack of political will.
“There is a very simple yet efficient way to get there – by taxing the super-rich. It’s a great way to achieve climate justice, not just because of resources they have available, but because they are directly responsible for social ecological destruction and climate change. We have launched the Tax Their Billions Dossier to show how and why this would work.”
Ilan Zugman, Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at 350.org, added: “The Brazilian Amazon provides one third of the electricity in Brazil, but one million majority Black and Indigenous people still don’t have access to electricity, and the people that do have access still rely on old and dirty diesel generators and power plants. On top of that, oil and gas exploitation continues to advance in the region, and climate impacts like fire and extreme droughts are ravaging communities in the Amazon.
“In partnership with Indigenous people in Brazil we are launching Energia Dos Povos – Energy of the People. In the world’s largest rainforest, the renewable energy revolution is about more than just installing solar panels. It’s about human rights, inclusion, and systemic change to enable communities to make their own decisions about their energy choices. We know that money exists, and we must ensure that COP29 delivers on this new climate finance goal, and next week’s G20 in Rio de Janeiro to provide support for taxing billionaires.”
Mariana Paoli, Global Policy Lead, Christian Aid, said: “The NCQG is a unique opportunity to keep 1.5 alive and deliver climate justice to communities, those based in the global south, most affected by climate change and who have done the least to contribute to it. It is about fairness and justice.
“We need to judge the outcomes of these climate finance negotiations on precisely the quality of finance. It is really important that this COP delivers on what the Paris Agreement is all about. We know the money is out there, and that’s what this report is showing. I want to underscore this is about political will. We have another nine or 10 days to go, and we’ll be campaigning and advocating for this to happen.”
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and its partners have revved up crude oil and gas production to 1.8 million barrels per day (mbpd) and 7.4standard cubic feet per day (scfd).
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, speaks during a media briefing to announce the 1.8mbopd crude oil production milestone at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, on Thursday. The Minister is flanked to his right by the Chairman, NNPC Board, Chief Pius Akinyelure, and to his left, by the GCEO NNPC Ltd, Mr. Mele Kyari
The company, which announced this at a press briefing on Thursday, November 14, 2024, said the feat was achieved in compliance with the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking on the development, the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mele Kyari, congratulated the Production War Room Team that anchored the production recovery process.
“The team has done a great job in driving this project of not just production recovery but also escalating production to expected levels that are in the short and long terms acceptable to our shareholders based on the mandates that we have from the President, the Honourable Minister, and the Board,” Kyari explained.
Giving details of the efforts of the Production War Room, the Chief War Room Coordinator and Senior Business Adviser to the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lawal Musa, disclosed that the feat was achieved through the collaborative efforts of Joint Venture and Production Sharing Contract partners, the Office of the National Security Adviser, as well as government and private security agencies.
He said the interventions that led to the recovery of production cut across every segment of the production chain with security agencies closely monitoring the pipelines.
He stressed that when the Production War Room team was inaugurated on June 25, 2024, production was at 1.430mbpd, but the team swung into action, culminating into it sustaining the production recovery to 1.7mbpd in August and hitting the current 1.808mbpd in November.
“We are confident that with this same momentum and with the active collaboration of all stakeholders, especially on the security front, we can see the possibility of getting to 2mbpd by the end of the year,” he stated.
Also speaking on the development, Chairman of the NNPC Ltd Board of Directors, Chief Pius Akinyelure, who also congratulated the team, said he was happy to be part of the production recovery process, adding: “Today, I will leave this place with my heart full of joy.”
He charged the Company’s Management to come up with a cashflow projection based on the new production figures to facilitate planning, stressing that he was looking forward to further production increase to 3mbpd.
On his part, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, expressed satisfaction with the performance of the team and pledged the Federal Government’s support for the company to do more.
At the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) where world leaders gather under the banner of climate action, criticism has reached a fever pitch from climate activists and vulnerable nations, who accuse high-emission countries of using carbon trading as a diversion from real environmental accountability.
Nnimmo Bassey, director of HOMEF (left), at a panel discussion session at COP29
Representatives from the Global South, environmental activists, and indigenous leaders are warning that the conference risks transforming into a “carbon trade fair” that prioritises profit over people.
Nnimmo Bassey, a Nigerian environmentalist and director of HOMEF, was emphatic: “This conference has turned into a business model for rich nations and corporations to pay their way out of climate accountability. Every carbon credit bought by a wealthy nation is another license for them to keep polluting while the frontline communities drown in emissions they never caused.”
Bassey’s perspective resonates with other attendees frustrated by what they see as shallow promises devoid of substantive action.
Carbon trading has long been touted as a market-based solution to reduce emissions. However, critics argue it allows major polluters to buy offsets rather than actually reduce their own emissions. Through this model, developed nations can fulfill climate commitments on paper while expanding fossil fuel projects. Environmentalists are skeptical, viewing it as a loophole that permits more pollution without addressing the root causes of climate change.
Fiji-based activist Joapi, representing the Pacific Climate Warriors, stated bluntly, “Every ton of carbon emitted by the Global North is another attack on our communities. Carbon trading is not justice; it’s colonialism by another name.”
Joapi’s Pacific Island home is among the most vulnerable, already seeing villages displaced by rising sea levels and freshwater contaminated by encroaching saltwater.
The exploitation of carbon credits has transformed many developing nations into unwitting overseers of “carbon sinks” in forests and wetlands, where they must commit their natural resources to offset emissions from wealthier nations. This carbon colonialism, critics argue, prioritises corporate profits and the lifestyles of industrialised nations at the expense of frontline communities’ survival.
Yvonne Yáñez of Acción Ecológica voiced her concerns: “This isn’t financing climate action for the Global South. This is a rebranding of debt and dependency. Conditional loans from institutions like the World Bank shackle us to perpetual repayment, and what they call ‘aid’ comes with conditions that strip away our sovereignty.”
Instead, Yáñez and other activists argue for a fundamental shift in climate financing, calling it an issue of historical responsibility and justice. Their demands include reparations from high-emission countries to the Global South, covering not only the economic costs of adaptation and resilience but also the profound ecological and cultural losses already suffered by these regions.
Estimates from environmental economists place the ecological debt owed by wealthy nations at around $5 trillion, a figure that underscores the scale of the damage inflicted by colonial extraction and industrial pollution. Yet, climate finance commitments have consistently fallen short. Despite the promise of $100 billion annually starting in 2020, this target remains unmet, with funds often offered in the form of loans rather than direct support.
“We’re talking about communities that need lifelines, not loans. These loans turn climate finance into a business scheme to extract even more wealth from the Global South,” said Yáñez.
Dr Rosalid Nkirote, the Executive Advisor, African Coalition of Communities Responsive to Climate Change, noted that COP29 is once again becoming a meeting of corporate and national interests rather than a genuine response to the climate crisis. As the Global North spends an estimated $2.4 trillion annually on defense, the $100 billion promised for climate finance remains elusive.
She argues that this is not a matter of resources but of political will: “If they can find trillions for war, they can find funds for the climate. The refusal to act decisively isn’t just a policy choice; it’s a direct attack on vulnerable communities.”
The call from climate activists at COP29 is clear: rather than engaging in superficial solutions, nations must confront the roots of climate change, starting with an urgent, enforceable transition away from fossil fuels. They argue that climate action must be led by justice, responsibility, and reparations, not by financial engineering and “offsets” that allow the pollution to continue.
Global South representatives and activists are urging the formation of a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to bring an end to unchecked fossil fuel expansion. This would set legally binding measures to end new fossil fuel projects and hold polluters accountable. For these communities, real climate finance is reparative, not an investment opportunity for banks and corporations.
Henry Opondo, Advocacy Advisor at ACCRCC, noted that, as COP29 draws on, those on the front lines of the climate crisis are calling for systemic change, not just words.
“Any viable solution must involve direct funding for climate adaptation, and reparations to countries that have suffered the brunt of a crisis they did not create,” he noted.
As the global debate on transitioning from fossil fuels like petroleum, coal, and natural gas to renewable energy intensifies, Africa’s role and potential to emerge as a key player in this shift has become a priority topic. The question remains: Can the continent move beyond the challenges posed by climate change and leverage the energy transition for economic transformation?
Cross section of the participants at the 1ST Africa Climate Academy
This question was central to the maiden edition of the Africa Climate Academy, held in Accra in October 2024. Organised by the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), the one-week event brought together a diverse group of African policymakers, scientists, academics, civil society activists, and media professionals. The aim was to enhance knowledge, foster collaboration, and advocate for a sustainable future through dialogue on Africa’s contribution to addressing global climate and energy challenges.
Building a Network of Climate Practitioners
ACEP’s Executive Director, Benjamin Boakye, explained that the Academy seeks to establish a network of practitioners who can engage continuously on climate issues, challenge existing narratives, and explore opportunities for the continent. “We need to clarify misconceptions, unpack the current narratives, and determine how to optimise the climate conversation for the benefit of our people,” he stated.
Boakye emphasised that while Africans often question who is driving the climate agenda, others are capitalising on the situation by producing and exporting renewable energy technologies to the continent. “Africa has often been late and missed the resource boom, but not this time,” he remarked. He urged participants to think economically and become part of the energy transition, which offers new economic opportunities and a chance to lift the continent out of poverty.
The Reality of Climate Change
Head of the Department of Physics at the University of Ghana and Vice Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group I, Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, highlighted the severe impact of climate change on human life. Citing evidence from the IPCC, she noted that regional temperatures are rising, extreme weather events are more frequent, and agricultural lands are being affected, making food scarce and expensive.
She expressed concern over the lack of progress in meeting international climate commitments, including the 2015 Paris Agreement. “Current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are insufficient to limit global temperature increases to below 2°C,” she warned and called for “urgent and ambitious action, including phasing out fossil fuels and increasing the use of nuclear and solar energy.”
Climate Action as a Human Rights Issue
A lecturer at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, Yome Ama Abledu, stressed that human actions are a significant driver of climate change, hence, climate action now increasingly framed as a human rights issue. “So, now, we can establish how climate action affects vulnerable populations, emphasize environmental justice and equitable transitions in climate policy,” she noted.
Acting Director of the Climate Change Unit at Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Daniel Tutu Benefoh, facilitated a session on integrating climate change into development planning. He highlighted the need to focus on the most climate-vulnerable populations in Africa’s resource-rich regions.
Financing the Energy Transition
Regional Principal Officer at the African Development Bank, Dr. Olufunso Somorin, discussed the importance of scaling up climate finance for adaptation projects. He urged African nations to transition from a “being helped” mindset to a “partnership” approach, focusing on developing bankable projects and exploring innovative financial instruments beyond traditional grants and loans.
ACEP’s Dr. Charles Ofori underscored the economic opportunities presented by the energy transition but emphasised the need for intentional investment and policy support to fully realise these benefits.
Localising Green Technology and Strengthening Governance
Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical and Chemical Engineering at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Prof. Francis Kemausuor, highlighted Africa’s potential for innovation in the green economy. He advocated for localising the value chains of emerging energy technologies.
Director of the Pan African Think Tank, Enzi Ijayo Africa Initiative, Charles Wanguhu, called for stronger governance frameworks and accountability mechanisms in climate action. He argued that this would ensure effective management of climate funds, promote transparency, and combat corruption, contributing to poverty reduction across the continent.
ACEP’s Policy Lead on Climate Change and Energy Transition, Kodzo Yaotse, emphasised the importance of collaborative approaches involving policymakers, media, civil society, and academia to build a climate-resilient Africa.
A Transformative Conclusion
The first edition of the Africa Climate Academy concluded on a positive note, with participants expressing having experienced a shift in perspective on how Africa can benefit from the energy transition. Many saw the gathering as a multidisciplinary task force, rich with ideas and expertise, capable of influencing research, shaping policy analysis, and providing advisory services to governments and the private sector in support of Africa’s energy transition.
In summary, the Africa Climate Academy has set a new standard for dialogue and action, challenging participants to rethink simplistic narratives and seize the opportunities presented by the green energy revolution.
The Board of Directors of NNPC Limited on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, announced a series of strategic leadership appointments. These changes, according to the organisation, reflect its continued dedication to enhancing corporate governance, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring long-term success in Nigeria’s energy sector.
Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mr Mele Kyari
The following key appointments have been made:
1. Mr. Adedapo A. Segun has been appointed as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Mr. Segun previously served as the Executive Vice President, Downstream, where he made significant contributions to the company’s downstream operations.
2. Mr. Isiyaku Abdullahi has been named Executive Vice President (EVP), Downstream.
3. Mr. Udobong Ntia has been appointed Executive Vice President (EVP), Upstream.
“These appointments align with NNPC Limited’s commitment to building a unified and competent leadership team to drive operational excellence and support the organisation’s strategic objectives.
“The Board and Management also extend their deepest appreciation to Mr. Umar Ajiya and Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa A. Eyesan for their outstanding dedication and service to NNPC Limited.
“NNPC Limited remains committed to achieving operational excellence, enhancing global competitiveness, and ensuring financial sustainability, while prioritising the interests of the Nigerian public in the petroleum industry,” the organisation submitted in a statement.
The NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, has successfully executed a Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement (GSPA) with Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.
L-R: Managing Director, Nigeria Gas Marketing Limited (NGML), Barr. Justin Ezeala, and President/CEO of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, display a signed Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement (GSPA) for the supply of natural gas to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE, on Tuesday, in Abuja
The agreement, signed by the Managing Director, NGML, Barr. Justin Ezeala, and the President/CEO of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, on Tuesday, November 13, 2024, at the Corporate Head Office of Dangote in Falomo, Lagos State, outlines the supply of natural gas for power generation and feedstock at the Dangote Refinery, in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State.
This major milestone, NNPC officials disclosed, is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy of utilising Nigeria’s abundant gas resources towards revamping the nation’s industrial growth and kickstarting its economic prosperity.
This development, which sees a huge investment of this nature penned with zero capital expenditure (CAPEX) outlay, has been described by many as unprecedented in the history of NGML or any gas Local Distribution Company (LDC) in the country.
Under the terms of the agreement, NGML will supply 100 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCF/D), 50MMSCF/D being firm supply and the rest 50MMSCF/D interruptible natural gas supply to the refinery for an initial period of 10 years, with options for renewal and growth.
This collaboration is a significant step toward ensuring the operational success of the Dangote Refinery and enhancing Nigeria’s domestic gas utilisation.
NNPC Ltd, through NGML, its gas marketing subsidiary, continues to lead efforts in promoting the use of domestic gas to support industries and businesses nationwide, it was gathered.
The agreement represents a milestone for both NNPC Ltd and Dangote Refinery, aligning with their shared commitment to boosting local production and providing vital products for the benefit of all Nigerians.
It is sad to be a further proof of NGML’s unwavering commitment to business excellence and fulfilling NNPC Ltd’s core mandate of ensuring Nigeria’s energy security through the execution of strategic gas projects across the country.
Argentinian negotiators representing the government of the climate science denier, President Javier Milei, have been ordered to withdraw from the COP29 summit after only three days, adding to concerns about the stability of the Paris Agreement.
President Javier Milei of Argentina
More than 80 representatives from the South American country are in Baku, Azerbaijan, for two weeks of negotiations about climate finance for the energy transition. Argentina’s far-right leader has previously called the climate crisis a “socialist lie”, and during his election campaign last year he threatened to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, though he has since backed down.
On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, representatives from Milei’s government were ordered to leave the Azerbaijani capital. Speaking to the Guardian, Argentina’s undersecretary for the environment, Ana Lamas – the country’s most senior representative on the climate and nature after Milei dissolved the environment ministry – confirmed the decision, which was first reported by Climatica.
“It’s true. We have instructions from the ministry of foreign affairs to no longer participate. That’s all I can tell you,” she said. Lamas said the decision applied only to COP29, when asked if Argentina was planning to leave the Paris Agreement.
There is widespread concern about the future of the climate accord after the election in the US of Donald Trump, who has pledged to exit the agreement for the second time. Before the talks, the UN secretary general, António Guterres, said a second US departure might “cripple” the global deal to limit heating to below 2C above preindustrial levels.
There are fears that other countries may leave the international climate agreements, including those led by climate deniers such as Argentina. On Tuesday, Milei spoke with Trump, after which Milei’s spokesperson said Trump had told his Argentinian counterpart he was his “favourite president”.
Carla Chavarria, a climate change management specialist, said Argentina’s decision to withdraw from COP29 talks would be bad for its future.
“Argentina withdraws its delegation from COP29 in Baku, losing its voice in climate finance negotiations. At a key moment to secure resources against the climate crisis, the country is left out, weakening its future and its ability to adapt,” she wrote on X.
The Citizens’ Association for Human Rights, an Argentinian group present in Baku, said: “We participated in the negotiation group on the gender programme in the climate change convention with (Argentina’s representative). It is sad to see Argentina’s absence from the negotiations after having led on this issue in many of the previous COPs.”
Milei’s administration has sought to roll back environmental rules to drive economic growth since he became president last year, including relaxing rules about protections for forests and glaciers.
Julieta Zelicovich, a professor of international relations at the Universidad Nacional de Rosario in Argentina, said Wednesday’s decision was a bad sign for a trade pact between the EU and South America’s Mercosur bloc.
“Without environmental commitments, any possibility of announcing an agreement at the G20 collapses. If the government wanted to move forward on trade agreements, this is a very wrong step,” she said.
Oscar Soria, the Argentina director of the Common Initiative thinktank, said: “Argentina’s decision to leave the Baku talks is a sharp departure from its traditional climate policy, not a surprise under Milei’s government, who have pressured Argentine diplomats to take untenable positions in the past.
“This decision is purely ideological and goes against the best interest of the country, whose economy was severely impacted by the climate crisis. Like in other instances, such as the decision of Argentina to leave the Summit of the Future last September, this is yet another sign of an unhinged far-right policy that uses high-profile moments as a burlesque show for the pleasure of the global far-right movement.”
The Federal Government says it needs $10 billion Public-Private-Partnership investment in the power sector, in the next five to 10 years, to achieve 24 hours power supply.
L-R: Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, with the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr Jobson Ewalefoh, during a visit to the Ministry of Power
Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed this when the Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr Jobson Ewalefoh, paid him a courtesy visit.
A statement on the visit was made available on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, in Abuja, by Mr. Ifeanyi Nwoko, Acting Head, Media and Publicity, ICRC.
In the statement, Adelabu said that the government alone could not afford the $10 billion, when there were other critical sectors in need of funding.
“Government cannot do it alone. This is why we have to look for organised private sector funding, while still retaining government interest and ownership.
“That is where ICRC comes in. We need to do this in collaboration with the private sector and the best way is through concession,’’ he said.
Earlier, Ewalefoh said it had become imperative to seek private sector input through Public Private Partnership to improve the power sector.
He said in view of the importance of power to the economic development of the nation, optimising performance of existing infrastructure as well as funding new ones was imperative.
The ICRC boss said that the challenges in the sector were many and had gone beyond funding by the Federal Government alone.
According to him, with inter-agency collaboration and partnership with the private sector, the limitations could be addressed.
The D-G said that through its regulatory processes, the ICRC could midwife private sector investment to raise part of the $10 billion needed in the sector to provide regular electricity.
He added that the ICRC could also attract more foreign direct investment to other sectors and ultimately grow the economy.
“Revamping the power sector requires planning, it involves investments and it takes time. So, we need to collaborate to solve the issues in this sector.
“The investment required in the power sector is very huge and government cannot fund it alone, so we have to leverage on the financing capacity of the private sector.
”That is why the ICRC was set up to regulate this leverage,” he said.
Ewalefoh commended the minister for his vast knowledge of the sector, noting that President Bola Tinubu’s decision on his choice was commendable.
He recalled that, in a bid to accelerate PPP investment as directed by the President, the commission issued a six-point policy direction which streamlined the process of PPP service delivery.
The D-G said that the commission was not relenting or compromising on its stringent regulatory function to forestall contingent liabilities or unnecessary delays by companies that lacked the requisite capacity.
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has pledged to boost post-harvest innovations through solar storage and mobile cold-chain solutions to reduce food loss and support food security.
NSE President, Margaret Oguntala
Margaret Oguntala, President of NSE and Chairman-in-Council, announced this at a news conference for the 2024 NSE annual conference in Abuja on Tuesday, November 12.
It is themed “Pioneering Engineering Solutions to Nigeria’s Climate and Food Security Challenges”.
Oguntala stated that the gathering of over 6,000 engineers aims to tackle key challenges in Nigeria’s food security and climate resilience through transformative engineering solutions.
“We will explore advancements in agricultural machinery, such as automated tractors and precision seeders, to boost productivity.
“We will also discuss efficient irrigation systems powered by sensor-based technologies, along with renewable energy solutions like mini-grid solar installations that foster energy independence for rural farming.
“Additionally, we are excited to introduce postharvest innovations, including solar-powered storage and mobile cold-chain solutions to minimise food loss across the agricultural value chain.”
Oguntala noted there would be sessions on precision agriculture, where tools like remote sensing and soil health mapping help farmers maximise yields and optimise resources.
She added that NSE is exploring climate-resilient crops and early weather alert tools to safeguard food systems in an unpredictable environment.
“This event is not just a conference but a stage set for high-impact collaborations, where Nigeria’s future in climate resilience, food security, and engineering innovation will be shaped.
“The Opening Ceremony on Nov. 19 will be attended by President Bola Tinubu as Distinguished Guest of Honour”.
Oguntala noted key attendees, including Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde, and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike as Chief Host.
She said NSE is joining the 2024 World Quality Day, themed “Quality: From Compliance to Performance,” to reinforce its commitment to ISO 9001:2015 certification and global best practices.
“We have championed engineering solutions to mitigate climate impacts on workers’ health, such as heat-stress monitoring and resilient infrastructure that withstands extreme weather.
“These measures reflect our duty of care to the profession and the broader public, contributing to the resilience of communities and industries alike.”
Oguntala affirmed that NSE remains dedicated to driving progress, fostering innovation, and creating a sustainable future for Nigeria.
She emphasised that the conference marks a significant step forward, as engineers work to pave the way for a new era of engineering excellence that uplifts communities and strengthens the nation.
