By George George Idowu
A renowned Geoscientist and climate consultant, Professor Jimmy Adegoke has proposed the establishment of an international Institute for Economic Transformation by the Middle Belt of Nigeria.
He said this will help bring together expertise from diverse academic fields such as geography, environmental science, agriculture, economics, and history to tackle pressing climate challenges confronting Nigeria and Africa.
Prof. Adegoke disclosed this on Monday at Federal University Lokoja while delivering an insightful lecture on the shared histories and futures of two significant river confluence cities: Lokoja in Nigeria, and St. Louis, in Missouri, United States.
He drew attention to both the environmental challenges and economic possibilities of these two historic cities.
The award winning scientist, who is an Emeritus Professor of the University of Missouri, Kansas City (UMKC), USA, explained how both Lokoja and St. Louis were pivotal during the colonial eras of their respective countries.
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He said Lokoja, located at the meeting point of the Niger and Benue Rivers, served as the capital of the British Northern Nigeria Protectorate and was the seat of Nigeria’s first Governor-General, Sir Frederick Lugard, after the amalgamation of the northern and southern regions.
Similarly, he said, St. Louis, at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, played a central role in the expansion of the British Empire in North America.
Prof. Adegoke emphasised that beyond their colonial legacies, both cities possess unique opportunities for driving economic growth in the face of global climate change. Lokoja, in particular, lies in one of Nigeria’s most agriculturally fertile floodplains.
He further stated that by collaborating with agencies like Nigeria’s National Inland Waterways Agency and the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), the proposed institute could become a hub for transformative Research and Development.
Professor Adegoke, who is a senior consultant to African Development Bank (AfDB), argued that such an initiative could attract substantial funding from global climate finance institutions and position Lokoja as a leader in climate resilience and sustainable commerce.
The lecture underscored the need for visionary leadership to realize the untapped potential of Lokoja’s location, paving the way for sustainable growth that would benefit not only the region but also the country as a whole.
