Green jobs

Forty per cent of Nigerian agricultural products ends up as waste. Fruit and vegetables at the famous Mile 12 market in Lagos are no exemption, despite the fact that Lagos’ gastronomy and people depend on this market for their daily supplies. Aniche Phil-Ebosie sees money in this waste, and is using the rotting veg to produce gas, which he turns into electricity for the market stalls. Watch Video

What should be done? The National Planning Commission should do a climate review of Vision 20:2020, and consult with Nigerians on a greener Vision 2030. Local governments need to start research on their clean energy potentials. The Standards Organisation of Nigeria needs to enforce regulation that stops the importation of sub-standard renewable energy technology. Our waste can be turned into cooking gas, or electricity. There is money to be made from 'rubbish'. Banks should understand the renewables industry and offer packages for young entrepreneurs at single digit interest rates. Unprofessional installation of solar and other systems make the systems fail. A large scale training and research programme is needed to prepare Nigeria for green growth. The money could come from the Crude Excess Account, from the Sovereign Wealth Fund or from the PTDF. see Clean Energy, Green Deal Nigeria study

159 words to inspire you to think beyond oil… How would Nigeria look like once it has decided to go green on energy?