The University of Benin is exploring how agricultural waste can be turned into biodiesel, a move that could support cleaner energy, create jobs and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel.
The proposal was discussed at the close-out workshop of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund’s Professional Chair in Renewable Energy at UNIBEN. The event focused on biodiesel development in Nigeria and the opportunities it could offer young people.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Edoba Omoregie, SAN, thanked the PTDF for choosing the university to take part in the programme. He also praised UNIBEN’s Faculty of Engineering for its record of excellence.
Representing PTDF Executive Secretary Professor Shu’ib Aliyu, the Fund’s Head of Gas Division, Engineer Ere Iyalla, described the workshop’s theme as timely. He said renewable energy could contribute to environmental protection, economic diversification and youth employment.
Iyalla said the PTDF Professorial Chair Programme was established to strengthen research, innovation and skills development in Nigerian universities. As the initiative wraps up, he encouraged UNIBEN and its researchers to build on the work completed and maintain the partnerships formed.
Professor Kessington Obahiagbaon, holder of the PTDF Chair in Renewable Energy at UNIBEN, outlined the opportunities and obstacles facing biodiesel production in Nigeria. He said government incentives, subsidies and investment in infrastructure would be important to developing the sector. Private investment, he added, could help provide the funding, technology and expertise needed to expand production.
Obahiagbaon also pointed to inadequate roads, storage facilities and refineries, alongside the need for a steady supply of materials such as vegetable oils and animal fats. He said the sector’s success would depend not only on available feedstock and technology, but also on sound organisation, investment and coordinated action.
He proposed a decentralised, circular model that would involve young people in turning waste from farms and households into fuel. Agricultural materials such as shells could also be used to produce catalysts for the process.
The roadmap presented at the workshop estimates that, with the right support, Nigeria could produce up to 1.5 billion litres of biodiesel annually by 2035. It also projects 288,000 jobs, $1.5 billion in foreign exchange savings and a reduction of 3.75 million tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions.
Participants called for closer cooperation among government, universities, researchers and private investors to make agricultural waste a practical energy resource and advance Nigeria’s renewable energy goals.
