The Sustainable Africa Initiative (SAI) launched a Climate Risk Research Challenge in Nigeria, focusing on the agricultural sector and involving Nigerian student researchers. This initiative, spearheaded by the Climate Risk Research Foundation, Sustainable Solutions for Green Growth, The Linux Foundation’s OS-Climate, and Green Energy Mission Africa, seeks to raise awareness regarding climate change and its impacts on Nigerian agriculture.
Azeez Abubakar, founder and executive director of Sustainable Solutions for Green Growth, emphasized that this project will span all six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. The program's commencement took place in the southwestern region of the country, with separate events held at the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ibadan, and the College of Agriculture at Lagos State University of Science and Technology.
Abubakar, also a Lead Consortium member, conveyed SAI's dedication to forging a sustainable future for Africa, with a specific focus on the interplay between climate change and agriculture. Further elaborating, he disclosed that the Climate Risk Research Challenge – Nigeria 2023 is open to Nigerian student researchers in relevant fields.
He stated, "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 objective of this initiative is to empower student researchers in Nigeria to devise sustainable solutions for the challenges confronting the agricultural sector.
Abubakar asserted, "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."
Another Lead Consortium member, founder and CEO of Green Energy Mission Africa, Abubakar Shuaibu, expressed SAI's pride in supporting research related to climate change and its influence on Nigerian agriculture.
Shuaibu highlighted that such research holds the potential to drive sustainable development and revolutionize the agricultural sector in Nigeria.
He affirmed SAI's commitment to providing training and mentorship opportunities for student researchers through their network of experts, offering valuable resources like training courses, community resources, and mentorship opportunities.
Shuaibu encouraged Nigerian student researchers from various fields, including environmental science, computer science, Geographic Information Systems, data science, and related disciplines, to participate in the Climate Risk Research Challenge.
He emphasized, "We believe that this is an excellent opportunity to make a positive difference and contribute towards building a sustainable future for Nigeria."
For more information about the Climate Risk Research Challenge or the Sustainable Africa Initiative, interested individuals can visit https://sustainableafricainitiative.org
Lead Professors at the respective events, Adegbenga Adekoya and Ayodeji Salami, underscored the importance of this challenge in enhancing students' capacity to address climate challenges in their communities. They stressed the need to engage diverse university fields in co-developing risk and resilience models while emphasizing the significance of training and mentoring students to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to confront climate change in Nigeria. Notable figures present at these events included lead professors from the University of Ibadan and Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Oludare Adenubi, university staff members, students, and others.
Also published: https://businessday.ng/agriculture/article/sai-unveils-climate-risk-challenge/
