Despite producing about 64 million metric tonnes of cassava yearly, Nigeria is yet to effectively explore benefits of the crop, earning just $1 million yearly from its export.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, made the revelation at the signing of Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to establish a cassava-based ethanol plant in Ekiti State, held at the headquarters of National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) in Abuja yesterday.
The project, which aims to harness the economic potential of the cassava-to-ethanol industry would be executed in partnership with Montserrado Investments Limited and the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO).
Noting that the agreement is a testament to the collective efforts to support government’s commitment to transitioning to clean cooking fuel, the minister said by facilitating the production and use of ethanol derived from cassava, the country is taking a vital step towards reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and embracing renewable energy sources.
Nnaji said: “We are working for the benefit of the nation. What we have started in Ekiti State will spread to other geo-political zones. What we are doing is to harness the cassava value chain production. Luckily, we have Montserrado Investments Limited that are coming up with their funds. However, what we are doing in the ministry is to provide technical support and Ekiti State is providing the land for the whole thing.
“Nigeria is the biggest producer of cassava in the whole world with 64 million metric tonnes, and yet we are deriving just about a million dollar out of cassava. However, we have countries like Venezuela, which produces about 800,000 metric tonnes and makes much yearly from the crop.”
The minister said the government was looking inwards based on the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu to see how Nigeria can derive more revenue from cassava instead of importing.
Chief Executive Officer of FIIRO, Dr Jummai Tutuwa, said bioethanol production from cassava serves as a perfect example of how science can contribute to sustainable development.
She said the abundance of the food crop presents a unique opportunity to produce bioethanol, a renewable energy source that can “mitigate our reliance on fossil fuels.”
On his part, Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, represented by the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Digital Economy, highlighted the project’s potential impact on the state and beyond, stressing its role in pioneering Nigeria’s Bio-Energy Value Chain initiative.
