NaijaAgroNet Weekend: The plastic problem on our doorstep by Remmy Nweke

WeekendSalvo@NaijaAgroNet: ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

Nigeria's overwhelming plastic waste, at 2.5 million tonnes annually, is not just an eyesore; it's a silent threat to the nation's food security. In this edition of WeekendSalvo@NaijaAgroNet, REMMY NWEKE details how plastic pollution contaminates soil, endangers livestock, and devastates the fishing industry, while Nigeria moves towards a circular economy and sustainable policies.

Nigeria is a nation of resilience and resourcefulness, but a pervasive enemy has invaded our landscapes: plastic waste. It's more than a blight on our streets; it’s a daily reality that harms health, contaminates homes, and threatens the very foundation of our nation's food security.

Alimosho: HELWEI partners CI, SSNC on WASH campaign, links market sanitation to food security - NaijaAgroNet

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

The Healthy Living and Women Empowerment Initiative (HELWEI), in collaboration with Consumers International and the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), has launched a campaign to address poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in traditional markets, with a specific focus on Alimosho Local Government Area (LGA) in Lagos State, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The campaign, themed "Kick Dirt, Hug Life!", links market hygiene directly to food safety and nutrition, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions to protect public health.

Lagos State commits ₦100M to boost child nutrition - NaijaAgroNet

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

The Lagos State Government (LSG) has re-approved a ₦100 million fund for child nutrition, a development praised by health advocates as a major win for public health and food security, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The approval, which was announced during a recent breakfast meeting on the adoption of the Child Nutrition Fund, follows advocacy efforts by organizations like the Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN). 

Dangote, Ethiopia to boost food security with massive fertilizer plant - NaijaAgroNet

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

To transform agricultural productivity in Africa, the Dangote Group and the Government of Ethiopia have sealed a partnership to construct a state-of-the-art urea fertilizer production complex in Gode, Ethiopia, reports NaijaAgroNet.

This landmark project, valued at up to $2.5 billion, aims to significantly enhance food security across the region.

Nigerian entrepreneur Aisha Maina secures Afreximbank-backed USD40m investment - NaijaAgroNet

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

The Managing Director of Aquarian Consult and founder of Gemini Integrated Commodities, Aisha Maina, has completed an intensive week of engagements that unite policy, private capital and hard infrastructure around a single objective: building a reliable commercial bridge between Africa and the Caribbean, crowned with USD 40 million quote of investment, at separate Caribbean trade mission across Grenada, Jamaica and Trinidad, reports, NaijaAgroNet.

The new port will anchor a 10 square kilometre special economic zone designed for agro processing, light assembly and bonded warehousing. 

Worsening malnutrition crisis prompts government call for Agri-Food funding - NaijaAgroNet

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

Nigeria is facing a severe food insecurity and malnutrition crisis, with an estimated 31 million people food-insecure and over 10 million children under five acutely malnourished, reports NaijaAgroNet.

In a joint communique issued on World Humanitarian Day, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator sounded the alarm, highlighting that "pipelines for food and nutrition that are lifelines for millions of people, especially children under the age of five, are severely disrupted, if not completely depleted".

New blueprint for Nigeria's nutrition future - NaijaAgroNet

 ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

In a landmark meeting that reaffirmed a decade of partnership and a shared vision for a healthier Nigeria, key stakeholders gathered at the 2025 Gates Foundation Partner Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting in Abuja. 

The forum, which brought together leaders in health, agriculture, and government, concluded with a renewed commitment to tackling the nation’s multifaceted challenges, with nutrition at the forefront.

Scent of a struggling city by Remmy Nweke - NaijaAgroNet

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

A corps member's "smelling state" rant on TikTok has become a nationwide flashpoint. REMMY NWEKE writes that it's not just about Lagos's waste management woes, but a potent symbol of widespread economic hardship and governance issues. This digital outcry shows how youth-driven activism is forcing institutions to face the new realities of public opinion.

Viral rant that exposed a city's struggle:
IamRaye, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, did not set out to become a symbol of a city's frustrations, but with a few candid words in a viral TikTok video, she ignited a national conversation, which left a notion, she may be after all right.

Empowering Africa's narrative: Obiaya to speak on confidence and trade - NaijaAgroNet

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

The Dean of the School of Media and Communication at Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya, is set to deliver a keynote address at the upcoming webinar, "Reclaiming Africa's Narrative: Stories that Drive Confidence and Trade" reports NaijaAgroNet.

The webinar, NaijaAgroNet gathered, is aimed at reshaping the narrative around Africa's perception, focusing on stories that promote confidence and trade.

WeekendSalvo: Song for the Lagoon by Remmy Nweke - NaijaAgroNet

 ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

The Lagos I grew up in sang with a different rhythm. Not the constant, honking chorus of traffic we have today, but the gentle lapping of the lagoon against the sand, a melody that whispered stories of fishermen and traders. 

Our backyard faced the water, and I knew every shade of its blue, from the deep sapphire of the clear morning to the shimmering gold at sunset. I was Ejaluku, and the lagoon was my silent companion, as the "fish of the gods."

Can Lagos Breathe? Navigating megacity's urgent environmental challenge asks Remmy Nweke - NaijaAgroNet

Features, ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology


Lagos, Nigeria's economic hub, is grappling with severe environmental challenges due to its rapid growth as one of the world's fastest-growing world megacity. The city faces multifaceted environmental sanitation issues, impacting the health and well-being of its residents.

The city's daily waste generation exceeds 13,000 metric tonnes, with a significant portion remaining uncollected. Air pollution levels are 5-7 times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended levels, resulting in an estimated 11,200 premature deaths in 2018.

Nigeria's Alarming Malnutrition Crisis: Why Death Toll Exceeds War-Torn Palestine by Elvis Eromosele - NaijaAgroNet

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

At the end of July 2025, the world was shocked to learn that 169 people, including 93 children, had died of malnutrition in Palestine since the outbreak of the devastating war with Israel. For context, the war has gone on actively for close to two years. Tragic and painful as this figure is, it is utterly dwarfed by a chilling statistic from Nigeria: over 652 children have died from malnutrition in Katsina State alone, and that’s just in the first half of 2025.

This jarring incongruity provokes a bleak and sobering question: How can a nation not technically in war end up outpacing a war zone in deaths due to hunger and malnutrition?

Nestlé urges media: Data, context key to unlocking food, environment solutions - NaijaAgroNet

 ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

Nigerian nutritional, health, agricultural and environmental journalists have been handed a powerful mandate: to harness the power of data and provide crucial context in their reporting to drive meaningful change in the nation's critical food security and ecological landscape, reports NaijaAgroNet.

This call to action came from the Managing Director and CEO of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, at the closing ceremony of the 8th Nestlé Advancing Nutrition, Health, and Environmental Awareness Through the Media Programme held weekend at the Lagos Business School, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Senegal closing on universal electricity access - NaijaAgroNet

Commentary@NaijaAgroNet ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

Seating in her bedroom in Ndorong Serere, a village located 100 kms from Senegal’s Capital Dakar, Khady studies her natural science textbook under the steady glow of an electric lamp. 

Her dream of becoming a doctor fuels her focus, the conditions around her now match her aspirations. Just weeks ago, the scene was starkly different – she had to ration her flashlight batteries carefully, limiting her study time each evening and often struggling to complete her homework before the batteries died completely.

“I can now study my lessons in better conditions at night”. Khady attributes her recent academic progress not only to her teachers and her commitment but also to the arrival of reliable lighting. “Last year at this same time, I had a grade of 10 in natural sciences. This year, I have a grade of 17,” she says with a proud smile.


Bridging the energy divide

Khady's story reflects Senegal's broader journey toward universal electricity access. The country has made significant strides, with a national access rate of 84% according to government sources. This progress has transformed millions of lives, yet the journey is far from over. While urban areas enjoy near-universal access, over 30 % of rural communities remain disconnected from the grid.

For Ndorong Serere, the arrival of electricity has been a catalyst for transformation. Djaraf, a skilled carpenter, is one of the many who seized new opportunities. “I learned and practiced carpentry at 10 kilometers from Ndorong Serere, but when electricity came to this locality, I didn't hesitate to return and open my first carpentry workshop,” he explains.

Oyo State breaks ground on new agribusiness hub - NaijaAgroNet

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology


A new era for agricultural development in Oyo State officially began today as Vice-President Kashim Shettima (represented by Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari), African Development Bank (AfDB) President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, and Governor 'Seyi Makinde broke ground for the Oyo State Agribusiness Industrial Hub in Ijaiye, reports NaijaAgroNet.

This Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) is set to be a game-changer for economic growth and job creation.

10yrs: Food for All Africa launches black soldier fly legacy project - NaijaAgroNet

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

Food for All Africa, West Africa's largest food recovery and redistribution organization, marked a major milestone yesterday, celebrating 10 years of dedicated service in addressing food insecurity and reducing food waste and poverty across Ghana. 

The celebration was highlighted by the launch of an innovative Black Soldier Fly Legacy Project, a circular economy initiative designed to convert organic food waste into sustainable animal feed and organic fertilizer.

Devastating consequences of unbranded cooking oil - NaijaAgroNet

 ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology


Preamble:
Itunu Ahaoda's life was turned upside down when her husband, John, was diagnosed with a severe heart condition at a Lagos hospital last year. 

The news was a shock to the family, and Itunu was determined to do everything in her power to help her husband recover.

Energy Forum gets Shell's commendation - NaijaAgroNet:

 ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

The Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo,) has commended the Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (OLEF), for driving change in Nigeria’s energy sector, reports NaijaAgroNet.

OLEF is notable for driving change through discussions that focus on business performance, cost discipline and process simplification.

Ocean economy hits trillions, as environmental alarms sound - NaijaAgroNet

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

The global ocean economy has surged to a record $2.2 trillion in exports, driven by a diverse range of industries beyond traditional fishing and shipping, reports NaijaAgroNet.

According to a new set of data released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and available to NaijaAgroNet, this rapid growth is accompanied by growing concerns over the health of the world's oceans, with experts warning of escalating threats from climate change, pollution, and overfishing.

CBA19 registration opens, inspiring global action - NaijaAgroNet

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

The registration is live for CBA19! The 19th International Conference on Community-Based Adaptation to Climate Change (CBA19) will take place from 12-16 May in Recife, Brazil. The CBA conference series aims to bring together a community of practitioners that are collectively seeking to enable community-driven climate action. We’re very excited that the conference is coming to Latin America for the first time!

The overarching conference question will be: how can we achieve just and equitable adaptation?