The first period covers the first six months of the project running from October 23rd, 2019 to April 20th, 2020. On arrival at the host’s office, I had a seminar where I explained the motivation and objectives of ECO-DEKS. However, it should be noted that Italy was in lockdown for the most part of 2020 as a result of COVID 19 pandemic. This situation disrupted the timelines for the ECO-DEKS deliverables. For instance, I could not go to Nigeria for data collection (an activity that was supposed to have started in March 2020) until October 2020. At the same time, I could not travel to attend conferences, workshops, seminars physically. Against all odds, I still managed to carry out all the project activities. For instance, during the strict lockdown in Italy, I participated in capacity development programs through online seminars, conferences, academic lectures, etc. I also started the data collection effort online to be able to reach the target audience before going to Nigeria to collect the data physically. It is also important to note that I submitted my responses to the ethical issues raised with regard to the ECO-DEKS project during this period. I also started developing the first working paper for the ECO-DEKS project during this period.
The second quarter covers project activities from May 2020 to October 2020 of the ECO-DEKS project. During this period, I submitted the final output of the data collected from eco-innovative firms in Nigeria, banners and flyers, newsletter, database of eco-innovative firms, data management guideline manual (DMGM). The Data Management Plan was also submitted to the European Commission through the Horizon 2020 participant’s portal. Other activities carried out include the presentation of the second working paper. The third quarter covers project activities from November 22nd, 2020 to April, 23rd 2021. I went to the field in Nigeria to collect data for ECO-DEKS project during this period. As part of the communication, dissemination & outreach activities, I made a presentation on the project's status to the academic community and organized a grant writing training on Marie Curie fellowship at the National Centre for Technology Management, Nigeria. I also made a presentation about the project in workshop that consisted of many key stakeholders in the industrial sector of Nigeria during this trip. I also continue to participate in capacity development programs through online seminars, conferences, academic lectures etc. The last period covers the last six months of the project activities from April, 24th 2021, to October, 21st 2021. At the end of the project, even though I was meant to submit two working papers as part of the deliverables within the project's duration, I managed to submit three working papers altogether. This is in addition to completing all the research activities and meeting all the ECO-DEKS timelines. I am also currently working on the fourth working paper. All three working papers were presented at several seminars and conferences.
