IN a bid to sustain and increase job opportunities for more farmers, Save Nigeria Project (SNP) has announced collaboration with a South Korean firm to establish four ethanol plants across Nigeria.
The facilities will be built in Osun, Kwara, Enugu and Akwa Ibom states.
Dr Charles Chukwu, President of SNP, who revealed this, said the South Korean company, in partnership with SNP, is set to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to create cassava-based ethanol plants in the four states.
The project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s bio-energy sector and fostering sustainable development.
Dr Chukwu emphasised that the initiative underscores SNP’s dedication to supporting the Nigerian government’s efforts to transition to clean cooking fuels. By promoting ethanol production from cassava, the project aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support the adoption of renewable energy sources.
The SNP president further noted that developing a domestic ethanol industry will lessen Nigeria’s dependence on imported cooking fuels and shield the economy from global market fluctuations.
The project will involve the Unemployed Youth Association of Nigeria (UYAN) to supply the workforce, thus creating job opportunities and addressing unemployment in the country.
Dr Chukwu pointed out that agriculture has the potential to provide income and employment for over 75 percent of Nigeria’s population.
With 87 percent of Nigerians lacking access to clean cooking, according to the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan, establishing a local ethanol production industry will help mitigate this issue.
According to him, the establishment of the ethanol plants is expected to drive significant economic activity by creating jobs and stimulating related industries.
Utilising bioethanol as an alternative fuel will reduce Nigeria’s reliance on non-renewable energy sources, enhancing energy security and promoting environmental sustainability.
The project will incentivise increased cassava production, benefit rural farmers and improve their livelihoods. The partnership will facilitate the introduction of advanced technologies and skills to local communities, fostering innovation and capacity building.
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