In a strategic move to combat deforestation, create sustainable livelihoods, and manage waste, the Adamawa State Government has successfully trained 100 members of cooperative societies in the production of biomass briquettes. This intensive capacity-building program, concluded in Yola on December 19, 2025, represents a core component of the state’s ‘waste-to-wealth’ and environmental protection agenda.
Alhaji Hammajumba Gatugel, the State Commissioner for Entrepreneurship Development, officiated the closing ceremony. He emphasized that the initiative was designed to empower beneficiaries from 10 Local Government Areas, directly targeting poverty reduction and fostering self-reliance. “This is a practical ‘waste-to-wealth’ intervention,” Gatugel stated. “It serves a dual purpose: promoting environmental protection by converting agricultural residue—like rice husks, groundnut shells, and sawdust—into a viable alternative energy source, while simultaneously creating economic opportunities.”
The commissioner urged participants to become ambassadors of the technology, stepping down the training within their communities. He announced critical post-training support, including the provision of starter packs and ongoing supervision by the ministry, with a strict warning against selling the provided equipment. This follow-through mechanism is crucial for translating training into tangible enterprise.
Mr. Kwaji Duguri, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, provided deeper context, linking the program directly to state policy. “Our administration has enacted policies to curb deforestation, including restrictions on tree cutting,” Duguri explained. “Briquettes offer a cleaner, sustainable alternative to firewood and charcoal. By providing this skill, we are diversifying livelihood sources for rural dwellers and offering a practical solution to environmental degradation.” Briquettes are compressed blocks of biomass that burn longer and with less smoke than traditional fuels, representing a significant upgrade in household energy.
Hajiya Zainab Bode, Director of Cooperatives, highlighted the comprehensive skill set imparted. Beneficiaries were trained not only in production but also in the use and marketing of briquettes, ensuring a holistic approach to income generation. This model leverages the cooperative structure to foster collective production, bulk purchasing of raw materials, and shared marketing efforts, amplifying individual impact.
Dr. Rakiya Inuwa, speaking for the cooperatives, thanked the government and pledged to utilize the knowledge judiciously. The event culminated in the presentation of cash grants and essential briquette production machinery to participants, providing the initial capital needed to launch their micro-enterprises.
This initiative, championed by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s administration through the Ministry of Entrepreneurship Development, demonstrates a scalable model for rural empowerment. It addresses a nexus of challenges—energy poverty, environmental conservation, and unemployment—by transforming ubiquitous agricultural waste into a source of wealth and cleaner energy for Adamawa State.
Reported by Talatu Maiwada for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Edited by Nabilu Balarabe and Abdullahi Mohammed.
