…as four cleantech innovators get $32,500 grant

By Cynthia Alo

To tackle the pressing issue of climate change, the federal government has embarked on a technology needs assessment to identify the country’s requirements for effective climate change mitigation.

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Uche Nnaji disclosed this while speaking at the National Forum and Award Ceremony in Lagos.

Represented by Isa Buba, Director, Environmental Sciences and Technology in the ministry, Nnaji said the ministry was conducting a technology needs assessment for climate change mitigation and adaptation in key sectors of the economy.
He said, “This is coming at a time that production and value addition to our immense natural resources is critical to fast track the socio economic development of our country under the present administration of President Bola Tinubu.

“There can be no better time to commence this project than now. I therefore call on all Nigerians to embrace and support deployment of clean energy innovations and solutions across the various sectors of Nigerian economy.”

At the event, four innovators were awarded $32,500 by the Global Cleantech Innovation Program (GCIP) Nigeria, an initiative implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB) to further accelerate Nigeria’s energy transitioning plan and to reduce the impact of climate change endangering the environment.

The second cohort of the programme had 24 innovators who were selected across the country where Henry Lamba, Founder of Schrödinger Technologies, was declared the winner and awarded $10,000 for creating a solar-enabled technology, which purifies water within 60 seconds for Kaduna communities. The first runner up, Victor Komolafe of GIVO Africa won $7,500, while the second runner up, Enohi Ukpebor of E-Sam Energy Solutions Limited got $5,000.

In the award category for the best female-led startup, Sidikat Folami of FabriThread Cycle Limited won $5000 while Ukpebor also won $5000 award for the best climate mitigation startup.

The winners also secured a free membership with the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, NASME, as announced by Dr. Yarima of NASME.

Managing Director/CEO, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Mr. Abba Aliyu announced that the agency would commence its component of the program.

The REA boss who was represented by Dr .Ngozi Ejiogu, Director, Rural Electrification Fund, noted that the target beneficiaries would be enterprises who have gone through acceleration cycles with innovative solutions requiring financial assistance to upscale.

He said, “A portal has been developed to ensure seamless application process and a launch date would be communicated to you in due course. Endeavor to use this opportunity to establish your firm footprint in the greener future.”
Reuben Bamidele, National Programme Officer of the UNIDO regional office in Nigeria, said the country was in dire need of clean technologies to meet the energy needs and address climate change.

He said: “The cleantech programme seeks to build robust innovation ecosystems that can identify and systematically support high-impact cleantech technology innovations as well as attract large-scale investments.

“With a population of over 200 million people, Nigeria is in dire need of innovations that are sustainable and environmentally friendly.”

Head of Startup Support, Co-Creation Hub, Mr. Akinwande Akinsulire, said the GCIP brings innovators, engineers, and tech enthusiasts together to address societal problems.

He said: “Since the project’s inception, we’ve worked closely with UNIDO and other Project Executing Entities to support 49 innovators, 25 in the first cohort and 24 in this second cohort.

“Last year, Nigeria’s top three national winners represented our country at the Global Competition. Of those winners, Rita’s Ecobarter clinched the global award for the best female climate solution in Vienna.”