A groundbreaking research endeavor, dubbed “A Pan-African and Transdisciplinary Lens on the Margins – Tackling the Risks of Extreme Events (PALM TREES)”, has commenced under the auspices of esteemed international institutions including CLARE, UK International Development, and IDRC. Spearheaded by the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), in collaboration with Lead City University, Ibadan, and the University of Lagos, the project aims to address the challenges posed by extreme events such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves.
The Palm Trees Project, spanning six African countries including Nigeria and Ghana, recently convened stakeholders in Lagos for an inaugural engagement session. This gathering served as a platform for stakeholders to share their experiences and insights, enriching the research process with diverse perspectives from various sectors of society.
Professor Oloukoi of Lead City University underscored the significance of this collaborative approach, emphasizing the need for inclusive research methodologies to yield outcomes that resonate with the broader society.
Professor Mayowa Fasona, in his welcome address, emphasized that the Lagos workshop marked only the initial phase of the research. Its primary objective was to gather firsthand information from affected communities, laying the groundwork for comprehensive and impactful research outcomes. These outcomes are envisioned to include reduced barriers to sustainable knowledge networks, more equitable relationships between communities, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers, and sustainable transformative change.
During the interactive sessions, stakeholders candidly shared their challenges and experiences related to extreme events such as flooding and heatwaves, particularly in central Lagos and urban slum areas. Researchers expressed gratitude for the stakeholders’ openness and robust contributions, acknowledging the invaluable insights that would inform the research process.
The forthcoming stakeholders’ workshop is scheduled to take place in Ilorin, Kwara State, signaling the project’s commitment to engaging diverse communities across Nigeria to inform its research agenda and outcomes.
