Experts and researchers from various institutions and organisations have reiterated the need to develop renewable energy sources that are environmentally friendly and sustainable.
The experts made the consensus views at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology workshop at the Federal University of Technology, Akure ( FUTA).
This is contained in a statement by the Deputy Director of Information and Protocol, Mr Adebanjo Adegbenro, on Wednesday in Akure.
The workshop’s theme is: “Laboratory Techniques in Molecular Biology and Enzyme Engineering for Sustainable Bio-energy: from Theory to Bench.”
Presenting an address, Dr Shakirat Ajenifuja-Solebo, the Director General/CEO, National Biotechnology Development Agency( NABDA), said the course was important because of the obvious need to urgently change the course of the global energy production and consumption, the most recent occurrences of extreme weather conditions experienced in different regions of the world.
Ajenifuja-Solebo explained that the Ukraine-Russian war had had far reaching effects on global politics and economy, energy demand and supply.
The Deputy Director General pointed out that by 2026, annual global demand for biofuels was set to reach 186 billion litres representing 28 per cent growth.
He said that biofuels produced from wastes, residues and dedicated crops that do not compete with food crops make up 45 per cent of biofuels estimated to be consumed in 2030.
He, however, raised a concern that fossil fuel would increasingly play a significant role in meeting local energy demands in Nigeria contrary to the trends in other regions of the world.
Ajenifuja-Solebo added that Nigeria’s scenario could change if it could harness local bioenergy capacities and appropriate technologies such as biotechnology in a sustainable manner that would also mitigate climate change.
Highlighting the advantages of renewable energy, he said it would cut carbon emissions massively, help in waste management and help overcome critical bottlenecks in biofuel production.
According to him, these are the pointers on the need for self-sufficiency in renewable energy production for sovereign nation.
In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of FUTA, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Development, Prof. Phillip Oguntunde said the course was very relevant at the current time.
Oladiji noted that there was increasing demand for safe energy, particularly renewable energy not just in Africa but globally due to increasing human population, urbanization, industrialization and adverse effects of climate change.
She said that at the moment ,greater amount of energy generated worldwide comes from fossil fuel, the leading cause of ozone layer depletion and climate change.
The vice-chancellor called on agencies, private and public institutions to leverage on the competencies and exposure of researchers in FUTA and other research organizations by spearheading cutting edge researches in different thematic areas that would proffer indigenous solutions to various challenges facing the country and the world at large.
In her remarks the convener, Fulbright scholar and Principal Investigator and Head , Enzyme and Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, ,E-Biotech Lab, FUTA,
In her words, Prof. Folasade Olajuyigbe of the Department of Biochemistry, FUTA, said, as global need for energy grows, research interests now focus on developing clean fuel initiatives, creating awareness among the public about bioenergy research ,energy and sustainability issues affecting our planet.
Olajuyigbe said globally, bioenergy research institutes and laboratories continue to advertise for collaboration, postdoctoral positions and researchers to combine their expertise, skills and exchange ideas to accelerate the process of discovering and developing advanced biofuels that can replace gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.
She said the workshop enabled participants to explore ways of producing sustainable biofuels.
The workshop exposed participants to laboratory-based course with various lectures followed by laboratory practical sessions.
At the closing ceremony of the Workshop, the Vice Chancellor, emphasized the importance of effective and sustainable cross discipline collaboration in all fields to enhance technology and proffer solution to societal challenges.
“Let us develop cross university, cross institution and cross discipline collaborations. We need ourselves to develop across the continent of Africa and by extension globally. We gain more when we attend multidisciplinary workshops and conferences like this.
“ Let the relationship established here be sustained. It’s all about networking. We can even meet virtually as I believe lessons learnt and knowledge shared at this workshop will be useful for you all as individuals and also impact your various organizations.
“Kindly share and spread your experiences beyond here and through that Nigeria, Africa and the world will be better,” she tasked.
Prof. Olajuyigbe of FUTA’s Department of Biochemistry won the highly competitive grant to host the Course in Nigeria from the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) based in Italy.
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