Hon. Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji (middle) Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Mr. Carlos Garcete (2nd left) DG, NARSDA, Dr. Matthew Adepoju (2nd right) Minister – Counsellor Embassy of Brazilian, Leandro Alves Da Silva (left) and others during the Courtesy visit.
Nigeria is taking bold steps toward industrial transformation and energy diversification with the development of what is projected to be the largest Green Methanol Industrial Complex in Africa. The initiative, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST) aims to leverage methanol’s potential as a clean alternative fuel, especially in the marine sector.
According to Mrs. Pauline Sule, Head of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry, the Honourable Minister for FMIST, Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, announced this during a courtesy visit by the Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Mr. Carlos Garcete, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Chief Nnaji stated that Nigeria is seeking Brazil’s partnership in the design, certification, and feedstock optimization of the methanol project, which is expected to play a significant role in the country’s socio-economic development. He noted that the collaboration would focus on unlocking value chains from local agricultural feedstocks such as cassava, sugarcane, and soybeans.
“Methanol has fuel properties similar to ethanol and is increasingly being recognized as a sustainable energy source, particularly for marine transport,” Chief Nnaji explained, as relayed by Mrs. Sule.
The Minister linked the methanol project to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes innovation as a driver of job creation, economic growth, and national competitiveness. He emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to mechanizing agro-processing and integrating scientific research into Nigeria’s industrial policies.
In addition to the methanol project, discussions during the meeting also touched on space technology. The Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Matthew Adepoju, highlighted Nigeria’s growing satellite capabilities and expressed interest in collaborating with Brazil’s space agencies. He identified potential areas of cooperation such as remote sensing, climate monitoring, land use analytics, border security, and emergency response systems.
Ambassador Garcete, on his part, reaffirmed Brazil’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Nigeria, particularly in science, technology, and trade. He noted that Brazil is eager to work with Nigeria on innovation-driven initiatives that deliver inclusive and sustainable impact.
“The visit was aimed at deepening cooperation in technology and innovation, while boosting mutually beneficial trade relations,” Mrs. Sule quoted the Ambassador as saying.
With this partnership, both countries signal a renewed commitment to environmentally responsible development and strategic industrial collaboration.
