Experts and researchers have expressed the need to develop renewable energy sources that are environmentally friendly and sustainable.
This was disclosed during the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Course with the topic, “Laboratory Techniques in Molecular Biology and Enzyme Engineering for Sustainable Bio-energy: from Theory to Bench,” held at the Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State.
The course was awarded to Professor Olajuyigbe of FUTA’s Department of Biochemistry who won the grant to host the course in Nigeria from the ICGEB based in Italy.
In a statement by the Deputy Director, Corporate Communications, FUTA, Adegbenro Adebanjo, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer, National Biotechnology Development Agency, Abdullahi Mustapha, said in her keynote address that the Ukraine-Russia war had shown the urgent need to “change the course of the global energy production and consumption,” in different regions of the world.
The Director General, represented by the Deputy Director NABDA, Dr Shakirat Ajenifuja-Solebo, said the annual global demand for biofuels was set to reach 186 billion litres by 2026, this represented 28 per cent growth in the demand for biofuels.
Mustapha said that biofuels produced from wastes, residues, and dedicated crops that did not compete with food crops will make up 45 per cent of biofuels estimated to be consumed in 2030.
He noted that Nigeria could become self-sufficient in the area of renewable energy production if it could harness “local bioenergy capacities and appropriate technologies such as biotechnology in a sustainable manner.” He also said that would cut carbon emissions and help in waste management in the country.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adenike Oladiji, said the course was relevant due to an increase in the demand for safe energy, particularly renewable energy in Africa and the rest of the world.
The VC, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, Prof Phillip Oguntunde, added that an increase in human population, urbanisation, industrialisation and the adverse effects of climate change contributed to the search for renewable energy.
She said, At the moment, the greater amount of energy generated worldwide comes from fossil fuel, the leading cause of ozone layer depletion and climate change.”
Prof Oladiji called on agencies, and private and public institutions to leverage the competencies and exposure of researchers at FUTA and other research organisations in the different thematic areas that would proffer indigenous solutions to various challenges facing the country and the world at large.
In her remarks, the convener, Prof Folasade Olajuyigbe, said research interests focused on developing clean fuel initiatives, and creating awareness about bioenergy research, energy, and sustainability issues affecting our planet.
