The Sustainable Africa Initiative (SAI), an NGO, has launched a Climate Risk Research Challenge in Nigeria with focus on agriculture and student researchers.
The initiative is aimed at creating awareness about climate change and its impact on agriculture in Nigeria.
The consortium is led by Climate Risk Research Foundation, Sustainable Solutions for Green Growth, The Linux Foundation’s OS-Climate, and Green Energy Mission Africa.
The consortium communicated the launch of the initiative in a statement made available in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
One of the Lead Consortium members, Mr Azeez Abubakar, said the initiative cuts across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria and had already kicked-off in the South Western part of the country.
He also said that the initiative combined separate outreaches hosted at the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ibadan, and College of Agriculture at Lagos State University of Science and Technology, respectively.
Abubakar, also Founder of Sustainable Solutions for Green Growth, said that SAI was committed to creating a sustainable future for Africa with a focus on climate change and its impact on agriculture.
He said that the Climate Risk Research Challenge – Nigeria 2023, was open to Nigerian student researchers in relevant fields.
“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 initiative aims to empower student researchers in Nigeria to find sustainable solutions for the challenges facing the agriculture sector,” he said.
According to him, 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,” Abubakar said.
Another Lead Consortium member, Founder of Green Energy Mission Africa, Mr Abubakar Shuiabu, said that SAI was proud to support research into climate change and its impact on agriculture in Nigeria.
He said that the research had the potential to drive sustainable development and transform the agriculture sector in Nigeria.
“As part of our commitment to building a sustainable future for Africa, we are also committed to supporting training and mentorship opportunities for student researchers.
“Through our network of experts, we will offer participants in the Climate Risk Research Challenge access to valuable resources, including training courses, community resources and mentorship opportunities,” he said.
Shuaibu said SAI would like to encourage other student researchers in environmental science, computer science, Geographic Information System and data science to participate in the Climate Risk Research Challenge.
“We believe that this is an excellent opportunity to make a positive difference and contribute to building a sustainable future for Nigeria,” Shuaibu said.
He said that the website, https://sustainableafricainitiative.org, would provide more information about the Climate Risk Research Challenge or SAI
Prof. Adegbenga Adekoya, one of the Lead Professors from the University of Ibadan, said that the challenge would help students build capacity to solve climate challenges in their communities.
He said there was need to engage other fields in the university to co-develop risk and resilience models.
Prof. Ayodeji Salami, another Lead Professor from Lagos State University of Science and Technolog, added that the challenge would go a long way in improving student participation in climate research.
He said there was need to train and mentor students, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to tackle climate change in Nigeria.
By Olubukola Aiyedogbon
