14.5 Government Policies Supporting Nigeria’s Bioeconomy Vision and Objectives
The Nigerian Experience
Nigeria’s bioeconomy policy landscape seems to revolve around various initiatives and agencies focused on promoting biotechnology, renewable energy, and sustainable development. Here are key aspects related to Nigeria’s bioeconomy policy based on the details provided: NABDA was established in 2001 to coordinate, promote, and deploy advanced biotechnology research, processes, and products. NABDA’s primary goal is to leverage biotechnology for socio-economic development.
Formed in 2015 through the National Biosafety Management Agency Act. NBMA is responsible for creating regulatory frameworks and mechanisms to ensure safety in modern biotechnology applications, preventing adverse effects on health, animals, plants, and the environment. NOTAP evaluates and registers technology transfer agreements, promotes intellectual property, provides technology advisory services, and supports R&D commercialization. Created in 2013 to bolster science and technology development in the country. Aims to fund and support research, technology, and innovation initiatives. Envisioned to diversify fuel sources, encourage agro-industrial development, and promote the use of renewable energy sources. Approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2007, targeting integration of the agricultural and petroleum sectors for sustainable energy solutions. Inadequate investment in research, insufficient infrastructure, skills gap, weak technological culture, ineffective intellectual property enforcement, and limited government support. Capacity building, investment promotion, policy development, and educational reforms to address challenges hindering biotechnological advancements. While Nigeria has taken steps to establish policies and agencies related to biotechnology and aspects of the bioeconomy, there may be a need for further comprehensive and integrated policies explicitly focused on harnessing the nation’s bioeconomic potential. The existing policies primarily center on aspects of biotechnology, biosafety, and renewable energy, aiming at sustainable development and innovation but may require continuous updates and improvements to address the evolving challenges and opportunities within the bioeconomy sector (Oguntuase, O., 2018).
National Biofuel Policy and Incentives of 2007
The National Biofuel Policy and Incentives of 2007 in Nigeria aimed to diversify the country’s fuel sources, promote agro-industrial development, and encourage the use of renewable energy sources. This policy was developed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and received approval from the Federal Executive Council. The policy aimed to reduce dependence on conventional fossil fuels by integrating biofuels into the national energy mix. By utilizing renewable energy sources, particularly biofuels derived from organic materials like crops or agricultural residues, the policy sought to enhance energy security and reduce reliance on imported fuels. A significant aspect of the policy was to stimulate growth in the agricultural sector by promoting the cultivation of energy crops for biofuel production. This initiative aimed to create new markets for agricultural produce, potentially benefiting farmers and boosting rural economies. One of the unique aspects of the policy was its attempt to integrate the agricultural sector with the downstream petroleum sector. This integration aimed to utilize agricultural resources for the production of biofuels, contributing to the country’s energy needs while fostering agricultural development. While the policy outlined strategic goals, its implementation faced challenges. The effective integration of biofuels into the energy mix required substantial investments in infrastructure, technology, and agricultural practices. Limited progress was made due to challenges related to funding, technological constraints, and a lack of adequate frameworks for large-scale biofuel production and distribution. Though promoting biofuels aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainability, there were concerns regarding potential environmental impacts, land use changes, and competition with food crops. The National Biofuel Policy and Incentives of 2007 represented a significant step toward adopting renewable energy sources in Nigeria’s energy matrix. However, its implementation faced challenges related to infrastructure, technology, funding, and environmental considerations, which impacted its overall effectiveness. Continuous improvements, technological advancements, and robust frameworks are essential to overcome these hurdles and realize the policy’s intended objectives in fostering sustainable energy solutions and agro-industrial development (Oniemola & Sanusi, 2009).
Strategic Planning to Improve Nigeria’s Bioeconomy
Nigeria’s Agriculture and Sustainable Development
Agriculture historically held a pivotal role in Nigeria’s economy, being the primary contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Preceding the country’s independence in the 1960s, agriculture employed a substantial labor force, generated foreign exchange, and elevated Nigeria’s global recognition (Ayande and Ogunsekan, 2012). However, the discovery of petroleum/oil in the 1970s shifted the nation’s focus, causing a decline and neglect of the agricultural sector, with oil and gas dominating the economic landscape. Sustainable development, as defined by Oyewo and Badejo (2014), revolves around utilizing resources to meet present economic, social, and environmental needs while safeguarding future generations’ abilities to meet their own needs. Agriculture heavily relies on natural resources such as water, soil, and wind as inputs. Ensuring their prudent utilization becomes crucial to sustain the economy without compromising future viability. Given agriculture’s historical significance and its potential for national development, urgent efforts are needed to reposition the sector on a trajectory toward sustainable economic growth. Achieving this involves several key steps:
Strengthening agricultural education through Extension Agents, Workshops, and Seminars.
Ensuring access to improved seedlings, fertilizers, and farming equipment.
Facilitating access to farming loans with reduced interest rates.
Implementing mechanisms for farm produce processing and preservation to ensure year-round availability.
Developing favorable policies and initiatives to incentivize and support the agricultural sector.
Creating viable markets, both locally and internationally, to enhance productivity and national development.
Promoting financial inclusion within the Agricultural Sector (Michael, 2016).
Encouraging the adoption of sustainable farming practices that ensure both current and future yields without negatively impacting the land. It’s noteworthy that addressing hunger and poverty, among the primary Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), can be substantially achieved by encouraging widespread farming and agricultural engagement across Nigeria’s population. This proactive approach serves as a potent tool in driving sustainable development within the Nigerian Economy.
Nigeria’s Green Growth Economy and Sustainable DevelopmentThe concept of green growth originated in the Asia-Pacific regions during a 2005 conference in Seoul. The discussion centered on the necessity to transition from prevailing economic growth models towards sustainable green growth. This shift aimed to reduce poverty levels while ensuring environmental sustainability. Initially, it was a regional policy, but it gained global attention, particularly among developing nations, receiving support from international agencies like the World Bank, UNESCAP, and OECD by 2012. Green growth, according to various sources, lacks a universally agreed-upon definition. The World Bank defines it as an inclusive, efficient, and pollution-minimizing economic growth that utilizes natural resources effectively. It focuses on resilience, accounting for environmental hazards and the role of natural capital in averting disasters. OECD views green growth as a strategy for economic growth and development that doesn’t harm ecosystems but rather sustains social welfare. The need to sustain livelihoods while preserving the environment aligns with the seventh goal of the Millennium Development Goal, which emphasizes environmental sustainability. Unsustainable production methods continuously deplete soil, water supplies, and forests at a rate slower than replenishment, leading to detrimental effects. Industrialization, driven by high-tech machinery, increases CO2 accumulation, posing threats such as rising temperatures and ozone layer depletion. Addressing these challenges requires a paradigm shift toward renewable energy sources. Millions in low-income countries lack access to electricity, relying on traditional biomass for cooking, exposing them to health risks. Africa, despite its renewable energy wealth, underutilizes resources like hydro and geothermal power. For instance, Nigeria’s solar potential remains largely untapped. Utilizing just 1% of Nigeria’s land area could generate solar electricity exceeding grid consumption by a significant margin. However, challenges such as sabotage, oil crises, and deforestation from fuel wood use hinder progress. Environmental degradation, oil spills, and resource exploitation further compound challenges in regions like the Niger Delta. Critics argue that current economic growth is unsustainable due to global recession and mismanagement of natural resources. Transitioning to green growth remains essential despite concerns about potential job losses and trade conflicts arising from stringent environmental policies. Supporters believe that inclusive green growth could contribute to sustainable development by reducing poverty, improving well-being, and addressing resource scarcity and climate change issues in developing nations (Azubuike & Ebere, 2019) .