Grappling with Bioeconomy Research and Discourse in Nigeria – Mixed Method to the Rescue

Abstract

Very little is known about public understanding, awareness, and perception of bioeconomy in Nigeria where its adoption is scant. Addressing this problem, we adopted a mixed method research design study to investigate the level of understanding, perception, and awareness of bioeconomy and its products among 550 Lagos residents’, 500 survey respondents and 50 focus group participants. Results revealed self-assessed moderate understanding and positive perception of bioeconomy, but poor knowledge of bioeconomy products. The recommendation is that bioeconomy development initiatives should target improvement of individuals’ knowledge of bioeconomy, and awareness of bioeconomy products, and reinforce environmental benefits, and climate action attributable to bioeconomy to drive its adoption among the populace.

Keywords

• bioeconomy
• bio-based
• climate change
• sustainability
• nigeria