{"id":18412,"date":"2026-06-20T13:05:05","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T13:05:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.iita.org\/news-item\/iita-and-cig-strengthen-strategic-partnership-for-environment-sustainability-and-agricultural-innovation\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T16:48:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T16:48:05","slug":"iita-and-cig-strengthen-strategic-partnership-for-environment-sustainability-and-agricultural-innovation","status":"publish","type":"news-item","link":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/iita-and-cig-strengthen-strategic-partnership-for-environment-sustainability-and-agricultural-innovation\/","title":{"rendered":"IITA and CIG strengthen strategic partnership for environment sustainability and agricultural innovation"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_34023\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34023\" style=\"width: 820px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/The-IITA-Management-team-and-the-CIG-team-with-Dr-Simeon-Ehui-and-Chief-Diana-Chen.png\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-34023\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/The-IITA-Management-team-and-the-CIG-team-with-Dr-Simeon-Ehui-and-Chief-Diana-Chen.png\" alt=\"The IITA Management team and the CIG team with Dr Simeon Ehui and Chief Diana Chen.\" width=\"820\" height=\"546\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34023\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The IITA Management team and the CIG team with Dr Simeon Ehui and Chief Diana Chen.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nIITA-CGIAR and the Choice International Group (CIG) have reaffirmed their commitment to a long-term strategic partnership that aims to drive green technology adoption, strengthen sustainability initiatives, and support agricultural innovation across Africa.\n\nThe partnership was reinforced during a working dinner organized by IITA Director General Dr Simeon Ehui for CIG Chairman, Chief Diana Chen, at the Institute\u2019s headquarters in Ibadan. The discussion marked a new phase in the growing collaboration between both organizations, building on shared priorities around clean mobility, renewable energy, environmental stewardship, and youth empowerment.\n\n<figure id=\"attachment_34024\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34024\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Chief-Diana-Chen-during-discussions-with-Dr-Simeon-Ehui.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-34024\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Chief-Diana-Chen-during-discussions-with-Dr-Simeon-Ehui.png\" alt=\"Chief Diana Chen during discussions with Dr Simeon Ehui.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34024\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chief Diana Chen during discussions with Dr Simeon Ehui.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nDuring their strategic dialogue, Dr Ehui and Chief Chen outlined a collaborative roadmap that will guide future engagements. Discussions focused on integrating green technologies and innovative solutions into IITA\u2019s research and operational infrastructure.\n\nKey areas of technical cooperation under consideration include:\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 35px;\">\n \t<li>Clean mobility and electric vehicle deployment<\/li>\n \t<li>Solar-powered mini-grid solutions<\/li>\n \t<li>Smart and sustainable campus development<\/li>\n \t<li>Youth agribusiness training and practical skills development<\/li>\n \t<li>Biodiversity conservation and seed preservation<\/li>\n \t<li>Ecotourism and environmental education<\/li>\n \t<li>Cultural documentation and heritage preservation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nDr Ehui proposed a phased approach to the partnership\u2014beginning with a technical assessment and pilot proof-of-concept, with the goal of progressing to full phase as both organizations align on long-term objectives.\n\nDr Ehui provided an overview of IITA\u2019s scientific legacy and future plans, highlighting its Africa-wide climate-resilience programs, seed preservation archives, unique biodiversity assets, and upcoming initiatives such as a proposed Food Museum and a Genetic Resource Center.\n\n<figure id=\"attachment_34025\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34025\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr-Simeon-Ehui-with-Chief-Diana-Chen.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-34025\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr-Simeon-Ehui-with-Chief-Diana-Chen.png\" alt=\"Dr Simeon Ehui with Chief Diana Chen.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34025\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dr Simeon Ehui with Chief Diana Chen.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nChief Chen praised the Institute\u2019s natural environment and scientific value, describing IITA as \u201ca sanctuary for creativity, reflection, and renewal.\u201d She expressed interest in developing cultural and educational projects on the IITA campus, including Yoruba heritage documentaries and films that explore the shared cultural depth of African and Asian civilizations.\n\nA key highlight of the engagement was the alignment between IITA and CIG on youth development. IITA\u2019s Youth in Agribusiness team presented ongoing efforts to combat youth unemployment through hands-on agricultural training, mechanization programs, entrepreneurship development, and NYSC youth engagements across 11 states.\n\nChief Chen reaffirmed that youth empowerment remains central to CIG\u2019s corporate mission and expressed interest in collaborative initiatives that strengthen practical skills, enterprise development, and innovation-driven opportunities for young Africans.\n\nCIG expressed readiness to support IITA\u2019s vision of becoming a diesel-free campus powered fully by renewable energy. Proposed collaborative opportunities include:\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 35px;\">\n \t<li>Deployment of additional electric mobility solutions<\/li>\n \t<li>Installation of a solar mini-grid system<\/li>\n \t<li>Ecotourism development on the IITA campus<\/li>\n \t<li>Strengthening mobility options for staff and visitors<\/li>\n \t<li>Building an electric vehicle (EV) servicing and technical support hub<\/li>\n \t<li>Supporting cultural, educational, and film projects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nChief Chen emphasized her commitment to environmental conservation, stating, \u201cI regard every tree here as sacred. We must honor the environment and create a legacy for the next generation.\u201d\n\nCIG has evolved into one of Nigeria\u2019s most influential industrial groups, with business footprints spanning automobiles, energy and green technology, and e-mobility solutions. Under Chief Chen\u2019s leadership, the organization has positioned itself as a leading driver of Nigeria\u2019s clean energy transition\u2014an agenda strongly aligned with IITA\u2019s sustainability ambitions.\n\nEarlier in 2025, CIG donated a Wuling Bingo electric vehicle and an EV charging station to IITA, supporting the institute\u2019s transition toward clean mobility. Dr Ehui expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing it as a \u201ctangible demonstration of CIG\u2019s commitment to IITA\u2019s sustainability journey.\u201d\n\nThe meeting concluded with a mutual reaffirmation of the IITA-CIG partnership, setting the stage for a deeper, more transformative collaboration that aligns technology, sustainability, research, and culture for Africa\u2019s development.\n\n<em>Contribu\u00e9 par \u2019Timilehin Osunde<\/em>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>IITA-CGIAR and the Choice International Group (CIG) have reaffirmed their commitment to a long-term 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