Nigeria: FG embraces Cassava Bio-Ethanol value chain development for economic transformation
Nigeria plans to deploy cassava-based bioethanol across agriculture, industry and energy to drive economic diversification, cleaner energy, job creation and foreign exchange savings. The government sees bioethanol as a pathway to value addition, private-sector-led growth, rural development and achieving a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
WorldStage– The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu has said that cassava bio-ethanol utilised in agriculture, industry, energy, and for clean environment will be deployed by the federal government for broad-based economic transformation.
The minister stated this at the opening of a two-day public-private dialogue on the implementation of cassava bio-ethanol value chain development project in the South-West geo-political zone, held on Thursday in Ibadan.
Represented by the Director of Economic Growth, Mr Auwal Muhammed, the minister said that the engagement speaks directly to Nigeria’s development priorities, economic diversification, energy security, inclusive growth, and climate-responsive industrialisation.
“Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava, yet the economic value we derive from this crop remains far below its potential.
“The challenge before us is not production alone, but value addition, industrial utilisation, market integration, and coordinated implementation.
“Bio-ethanol development provides a practical pathway to convert cassava from a subsistence crop into an industrial and energy asset,” he said.
According to Bagudu, the focus on Public-Private Dialogue is particularly critical as government cannot do this alone.
“The South-West zone, with its infrastructure base, private sector presence, and research institutions, is well-positioned to serve as a pilot for cassava bio-ethanol development that could be replicated nationwide.
“The private sector brings investment, innovation, and efficiency, while government provides policy direction, coordination, and an enabling environment.
“This is what we call the triple helix, and the essence is for us to see how we can build synergy between the private, public sector, and the academia to grow the economy.
“Part of the mandate of this administration is to build a $1 trillion economy. Bringing all these key stakeholders together is for us to achieve that target of a $1 trillion economy by the year 2030.
“We are also moving away from fossil fuel to cleaner energy through bio-ethanol so that we reduce this carbon footprint emission into our atmosphere, making for a healthier environment.
“When we build this bio-ethanol plant, it will save our foreign exchange, create jobs, thereby lifting a lot of people out of poverty,” Bagudu said.
The minister said that the country already has a National Bio-economic Strategic Framework, which aligns clearly with the Renewed Hope Agenda and Agenda 2050.
“So there’s already a link and synergy between Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Agenda 2050.
“Our target is to sensitise and build the capacity of smallholder farmers.
“Smallholder farmers are very critical, especially in this project,” he said.
The minister said that addressing the challenges of the smallholder farmers, particularly those involved in cassava cultivation, was one of the avenues to address poverty.
Also, Prof. Olumuyiwa Jayeoba of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, emphasised the need to increase utilisation of cassava so as to increase economic growth, create jobs, reduce and save foreign exchange, and also to increase Nigeria’s GDP earnings.
“By the time we begin to produce most of the bio-ethanol that is used in the blending of our fuel, we will save a lot of money from foreign exchange.
“At the same time, we want to create jobs and create wealth for the numerous youth and populace.
“Bio-economy is a win-win and it’s capable of sparking or triggering economic growth and development in Nigeria,” Jayeoba, the workshop’s facilitator, said.
Participants at the workshop were drawn from the private sector, farmers’ associations, research institutions, academia, MDAs, and other stakeholders from the six states in the South-West geopolitical zone.
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