Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has sounded the alarm on climate change, stating that it “threatens the foundation of our food systems.”
Chief Nnaji disclosed this in a statement on Thursday issued by the Director of Media and Corporate Communications at the National Space Research and Development Agency, Felix Ale.
While speaking at the Commonwealth Roundtable on Climate Finance and Food Security in London, Nnaji highlighted the severe impact of climate change on Nigeria’s landscape.
“More than 95 per cent of Nigerian farmers rely on unpredictable rainfall, making them highly vulnerable to droughts and erratic weather patterns,” he said.
He added that “Nigeria spends over $10 billion annually on food imports, despite having the potential to be a net exporter of agricultural products.”
To combat these challenges, the minister outlined the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology’s (FMIST) commitment to deploying science, technology, and innovation as the backbone of Nigeria’s climate resilience strategy.
He emphasized the importance of leveraging technology to secure food production, energy access, and environmental sustainability.
Some of the innovative solutions Nigeria is adopting include: climate-smart agriculture, digital agriculture/ smart farming, and clean cooking initiative.
The minister stressed that “while innovation is critical, no solution is viable without sustainable financing mechanisms.”
