In London, a group of Nigerian innovators showcased how grassroots creativity can translate into global opportunities, but their journey highlights the hurdles African entrepreneurs face. Among them, 24-year-old Al-Amin Muhammad Idris stood out. His project, which recently won £1.5 million in the NextGen Innovation Challenge, aims to develop a low-cost water purification system for rural
In Lagos, 300 women have completed a hands-on catfish farming training, part of a programme led by the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR) in partnership with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). Six trainers-of-trainers were also certified to extend the skills across communities. The initiative, held at the Ikorodu Skill Acquisition
Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, has partnered with the National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, and the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR) to address gaps in fish production in Nigeria. Domestic tilapia production struggles to meet demand, partly due to shortages of locally produced feed. The collaboration aims to develop practical solutions, including
For 50 unemployed Nigerian graduates, the prospect of a career is no longer confined to traditional office and classroom settings. This week, they began a five-day intensive training in aquaculture production, fish processing, and value addition at the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR). The initiative, led by NIOMR’s Executive Director, Dr Gbolahan
For many young Nigerians training to become seafarers, completing mandatory sea experience, or “seatime,” remains a challenge. While maritime institutions churn out hundreds of cadets each year, the country lacks sufficient vessels to give them practical experience on board ships. This week, the Alumni Association of the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology (FCFMT),
Nigerian researchers are taking centre stage in an ambitious European Union-backed initiative to promote sustainable aquaculture in the Atlantic region. The ASTRAL project, part of the EU Horizon 2020 programme, brings together scientists from ten countries, including Nigeria, Norway, Ireland, and Brazil, to develop environmentally friendly fish farming practices. At the heart of the effort
The Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) has ushered in a new chapter with the appointment of Dr A.R. Adedeji as Acting Executive Director, following the departure of Dr Patrick Olu Adebola. The handover ceremony, attended by the board chairman, senior management, and staff, underscored the institute’s commitment to continuity and seamless leadership transitions. Dr
Staff at the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN) are reflecting on three years of leadership under Executive Director Dr Lelia Nkechiyere Dongo, whose tenure has coincided with efforts to modernise research and strengthen staff engagement. During an internal session to mark the anniversary, Dr Dongo highlighted initiatives aimed at enhancing research capacity, strengthening institutional
At the Projects Development Institute (PRODA) in Enugu, researchers showcase semi-automated machines designed to process local crops more quickly and efficiently. Nevertheless, outside the laboratory, many Nigerian farmers say the promise of technology feels distant. “I have heard about these machines for years,” says Mr Chukwudi Nwosu, a cassava farmer in Enugu State. “But they
As the dry season sets in, researchers at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, have turned their attention to solutions that could safeguard Nigeria’s crops against water scarcity. Recently, IAR officially kicked off its 2026 In-House Research Review, beginning with the Irrigation Research Programme. Unlike other programmes, this review aligns with
