FG builds stakeholders capacity on cassava bio-ethanol value chain development
Omeiza Bilal
Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced the process of scaling up the production of Fuel Grade Ethanol (FGE) for blending with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), aimed at significantly reducing Nigeria’s energy import bill.
This, it said will in turn mitigate the liquidity pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves and catalyze the naira through the creation of a localized, bio-circular economy.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu made this known during the on-going capacity building for the relevant stakeholders in the implementation of Cassava Bio-Ethanol Value Chain Development Project held in Nassarawa State between 11th-12th March, 2026.
The Minister who was represented by the Director, Economic Growth Department of the Ministry, Mr. Muhammed Auwal revealed that a core technical objective of this workshop is the reduction of post-harvest loss, which currently accounts for a 40% efficiency leak in the value chain through the deployment of strategic aggregation hubs and rapid processing technologies.
He said, “We aim to minimize the window between harvest and processing, thereby preserving starch integrity and ensuring our output meets ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) specifications for anhydrous ethanol.”
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Deborah Odoh affirmed the ministry’s readiness to support all stakeholders in this journey and assured that continued strategic policy coordination, monitoring and evaluation oversight which aligns with national development framework to ensure that investments in this programme delivers value for money, jobs for youths, income for farmers and resilience for the economy is provided.
While speaking earlier, the Director of Economic Growth Department in the Ministry, represented by Mr. Fatai Olaifa, said that Cassava is a versatile crop which offers opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs and investors, he therefore urged participants to fully align themselves as the success of this value chain rests entirely on synergy.
He assured that roles will be clarified within the implementation roadmap, bridge the gap between public sector regulations and private sector efficiency.
In a goodwill message the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, affirmed the Agency’s commitment to the secondary by-products generated from Cassava.
The NAFDAC DG represented by Dr. Oyedele Olusegun, commended the ministry for the initiative in terms of diversification of the economy, restating its commitment to collaboration with the ministry to ensure success.
In her goodwill message, the Technical Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Food Security and Agriculture, Ms. Ochanya Okoh, said the State is set to harness the opportunity to expand its cassava production capacity as one of the leading cassava producing state in the country.
The workshop also aimed to improve the technical capacity of relevant stakeholders in extracting bio-ethanol from Cassava for industrial use, export as well as create a new window for processing of varied products among others.
Participants at the workshop were drawn from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Raw Materials Research and Development Council, States in the Region, Association of Cassava Producers and Processors amongst others.
