Team Lead Environmental Sustainability

DR. CHIDOZIE IHEANYI ERNEST

Date of birth: **

th

August, 1987

Gender: Male

Nationality: Nigerian

Contact Address: House 15, Phase 1 Estate, Kajola, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. E-mail/Phone: ******.*****@*****.*** +234********** RESEARCH INTEREST

Soil Health, Food Security, Agricultural Sustainability, Fertilizer Use Efficiency, Regenerative Agriculture, Climate Change, Carbon Sequestration, Land and Soil Evaluation, Planning, Conservation and Management.

KEY SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Proficient in conducting comprehensive soil surveys, including physical, chemical, and biological properties assessment using advanced laboratory techniques and field instrumentation.

Skilled in developing customized nutrient management plans to enhance soil fertility and crop yield while minimizing environmental impact.

Experienced in carrying out Environmental Impact Assessment, evaluating soil quality and its impact on water resources, biodiversity, and ecosystem health to support sustainable land management practices.

Proven track record in designing and implementing research projects focused on soil health, soil conservation, erosion control, and climate change adaptation strategies.

Strong analytical skills in interpreting soil data using statistical software and GIS tools to provide actionable insights and recommendations to stakeholders.

Ability to evaluate to classify soils based on morphological, physical, chemical, and biological properties, evaluating a profile pit and delineating soil horizons using USDA Soil Taxonomy and World Reference Base.

Ability to subject soil information for any proposed land use using the Land Evaluation System which cover the land suitability evaluation and land capability classification.

Expertise of evaluating soil fertility using the Fertility Capability Classification model.

Ability to assess soil degradation and potentiality, land quality assessment and land degradation neutrality (LDN) using the land degradation index (LDI) model.

Ability to carry out pre and post project monitoring and evaluation of a degraded land and restored land which includes above and below ground carbon stock and total organic carbon evaluation, biodiversity and soil health.

INSTITUTIONS ATTENDED

Federal University of Technology Owerri 2015- 2023 Federal University of Technology Owerri 2012-2015

Federal University of Technology Owerri 2004-2010

Federal Government College Ikot Ekpene 1998-2004

EDUCATION

Ph.D Pedology and Soil Survey 2023

Dissertation: Rice Productivity Potentials of Hydromorphic Soils in Selected Niger-Delta Areas of Nigeria.

Supervisors: Professor Emmanuel Onweremadu (Chair), Dr. Bernadine Aririguzo

(Member), Dr. Chioma Ahukaemere (Member)

M.Sc Soil Survey and Land Use Planning 2015

Thesis: Classification of Soils along Ogochie River Floodplain in Ngor-Okpala, Imo State, Southeastern Nigeria.

Supervisor: Dr. Emmanuel Onweremadu

B.Agric Soil Science and Technology 2010

Thesis: Physicochemical properties forest and cultivated soils of Imo state southeastern Nigeria.

Supervisor: Dr. Charles Mbah

Secondary School Certificate (WASSCE, NECO, GCE) 2004 CERTIFICATION

Registered Soil Scientist (RSS), Nigeria Institute of Soil Science (NISS) 2021 Health, Safety and Environment (HSE Levels 1-3) 2011 WORK EXPERIENCE

Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Lagos. April 2019-Present

(Senior Soil Specialist)

Conducting soil sampling and analyses to determine nutrient levels

Analyzing data from soil test and field trials

Project Planning, development and Budgeting for soil laboratory

Designing fertilizer recommendation based on soil test results

Recommending soil management strategies to improve soil health

Designing and conducting field trials to assess soil health and crop yield

Collaborating with agronomist to integrate soil analysis in farmers training and meetings

Investigating strategies to improve fertilizer use efficiency and enhance soil health

Providing technical support to internal team especially the sales and marketing team

Advising farmers on relevance of soil analysis and nutrient management practices (4 R)

Engaging and training external stakeholders on relevance of soil test to fertilizer use

Monitoring weekly weather condition across Nigeria

Preparing detailed weekly report to support decision making and product development

Championing sustainability approaches on carbon sequestration land restoration. Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Abia State 2015-2019

(Agricultural Field Officer-Federal Government Scheme-Npower)

Provided training for farmers on sustainable agricultural practices

Offered technical assistance to farmers on crop and soil management

Conducted periodic farm visits for crop evaluation and monitoring

Gathered and analyzed data farm productivity, agricultural practices and crop yield

Liaised with cooperative societies, government agencies, NGO’s to deliver services and programs.

Aided in the advocacy and implementation of new technologies and policies

Facilitated communication between farmers and agricultural organizations

Prepared reports on field activities, farmer feedback and engagement outcomes for decision making purposes

PUBLICATIONS

Okafor M.J., Nnnabuihe E.C., Madueke C.O., Egboka, T.N., Apalowo O.A., Nwaiwu, C.J., Ernest C.I and Ezeonu, C.J (2024).Assessment of carbon and nitrogen stock in soils of cassava and rice farms in the Derived Savanna of Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria. Agr.Foo.Nat.Res.J. Vol 3, Iss.1,Pg 14-23.

Ernest, C., Okorocha, O., Chukwurah, M., Taqi Raza, Muhammed Faran, Uka-Onuoha, C., Onyechere, A and Iheka. W. (2021). Estimating land degradation neutrality (LDN) using carbon sequestration pedotransfer function on dissimilar land use and land cover in humid tropics. Soil Environ. 40(2) 102-109.

Ernest Chidozie. I., Irokwe I.F., Okafor M.J., Irondi, O.A., Chime, A.C., Okeke, O.M., Njoku, G.U., Dibofori, E.G., Agbugba, S.E., Taqi R. and Michael, G.O (2019) - Assessment of hydraulic conductivity and soil quality of similar lithology under contrasting land use and land cover in humid tropical Nigeria. Soil Science Society of Pakistan. Soil Environ. 38(1)75-80. Ernest C.I., Okafor M.J. and Okoye A.I. (2018) Characterization and comparative soil quality assessment of sinkhole degraded land, restored land and forested undisturbed land. Таврійський науковий вісник, 100, Pp206-215

Ernest, C.I and Mbah, C.N (2016) Impact of continuous cultivation on soil properties of Imo state southeastern Nigeria. Agrochemistry and Soil Science. No85, Pp47-52 Okafor, M.J and Chidozie, E.I (2016) Impact of different soil amendments on crude oil polluted soils and performance of maize. Agrochemistry and Soil Science. No85, Pp19-27 Ernest, C.I (2016) Assessment of soil properties from selected erosion sites of four local government areas of Abia state, southeastern Nigeria. Journal of Global Resources, Vol 3, Pp 146-152

Ernest, C.I and Onweremadu, E.U (2016) Classification of Soils along Ogochie River Floodplain in Ngor Okpala LGA, Imo State. Journal of Global Resources, Vol 2, Pp 76-83 Ernest, C.I., M.J. Okafor and I.F. Irokwe (2015) Land suitability evaluation of Ogochie river wetland soils in Ngor-okpala local government area of Imo state Southeastern Nigeria for rain fed rice production. Agrochemistry and Soil Science. No84, Pp28-35 SEMINARS/ CONFERENCE PAPERS

Ernest, C.I- Structural Soils: A panacea for conservation and sustenance of the urban environment. Presented to the Department of Soil Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri. August, 2016.

Ernest, C.I-Relevance of paleopedology to contemporary soil survey, agriculture and environmental studies. Presented to the Department of Soil Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri. December, 2016.

Irokwe, I. F, Ernest, C.I, Okafor, M.J -Anthropogenic Impact of Land use on Soil Quality of Southeastern Nigeria. Presented to Soil Science Society of Nigeria, 2016 proceedings, Calabar, Nigeria.

CONFERENCES ATTENDED

Soil Health and Climate-Smart Agriculture for Resilient Food Security System. 2024 Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN), Abuja.

A Vision for New Earth. Global Landscape Forum Nairobi 2023 Hybrid Conference.

Building Strategy Alliances for Improved Fertilizer Availability 2022 and Affordability. West African Fertilizer Association (WAFA), Lagos. Sustainable Agronomy Conference Virtual Event and Conservation 2021 in Action Tour Series. American Society of Agronomy (ASA). Climate-Smart Soil Management, Soil Health/Quality 2020 and Land Management Synergies for Sustainable Ecosystem Services. Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN), Enugu.

Understanding Nigerian Soils for Sustainable Food 2019 and Nutrition Society and Healthy Environment. Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN), Benue.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING

Marketing Analytics for Future Projection 2022

[Industrial Training Fund]

Global Symposium on Soils for Nutrition 2022

[Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)] Determination of Soil Phosphorous by Olsen Method 2021

[Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)] Implementation of Standard Operating Procedure for Soil Electrical Conductivity 2021

[Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)] Handling and Preparation of Soil Samples 2021

[Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)] Implementation of Standard Operating Procedure for Soil Organic Carbon 2021

[Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)] Remote Sensing Innovations for Smart and Precision Agriculture 2021

[Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University]

Farm Data Management, Sharing and Services for Agriculture Development 2019

[Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)] Delivering Balanced Crop Nutrition to Small Scale Farmers 2019

[International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), Accra Ghana] Land Grab, an Environmental Issue 2017

[The Open University, United Kingdom]

Sustainable Development and Land Degradation 2017

[United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, Germany] PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT

Formulation of A Soil Mix Suited For Tropical Urban Areas for Tree Growth and Engineering Support Presented at the NDDC -Niger Delta Young Innovators Programme 2017 PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION

Member, International Network on Soil Pollution (INSOP) 2023-Present Member, International Network on Soil Biodiversity (NETSOB) 2022-Present Member, International Network on Salt Affected Soils (INSAS) 2022-Present Member, Society of Ecological Restoration (SER) 2022-Present Ambassador, One Tree Planted 2022-Present

Member, International Union of Soil Science (IUSS) 2022-Present Member, Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN) 2022-Present Member, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) 2015-Present Member, FAO-UN Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN) 2013-Present Secretary General, Nigerian Association of Agricultural Students (NAAS) 2007-2008 COMMUNITY SERVICE

Eco Restoration Foundation 2024-Present

Sustainable Land Management Specialist

International Network on Corporate Social Responsibility 2022-Present Soil Scientist, Land restoration and tree planting LANGUAGES

English: Native Language, distinguished levels in listening, speaking, reading and writing French: Beginner levels in listening, speaking, reading and writing REFEREES

Prof. Emmanuel .U. Onweremadu

Position: Professor, Department of Soil Science,

Affiliation: Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. Phone: +234**********

Email: ***************@*****.***

Relationship: M.Sc and Ph.D Supervisor

Dr. (Mrs.) Chioma .M. Ahukaemere

Position: Senior Lecturer, Department of Soil Science, Affiliation: Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. Phone: +234**********

Email: ************@*****.***

Relationship: Ph.D Supervisor

Mr. Muhammad Ndaya Yelwa

Position: Deputy General Manager, Market Development Affiliation: Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Lagos, Nigeria. Phone: +234**********

Email: **********@*****.***

Relationship: Work Line-Manager

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