Prof. Yusuf Urges Govt to Support Waste-to-Energy Innovations in Nigeria

Professor Rafiu Olasunkanmi Yusuf of the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, has called on the Nigerian government and private sector to commit more resources to research and development in waste management and emissions control.

He described them as vital areas for achieving sustainable development and combating climate change.

Delivering the 286th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ilorin titled “Waste Stream and Emissions Management for Sustainable Development”, Professor Yusuf said limited funding and technological barriers remain major obstacles to progress in environmental engineering, especially in areas such as bioremediation, waste-to-energy systems, and emissions reduction.

“One of the most significant challenges in my field is funding. Large-scale research projects and implementation of waste-to-energy technologies require robust financial backing, which is currently lacking,” he said.

“Without this support, it becomes difficult to scale up innovative solutions that could transform our waste into wealth.”

He noted that although Nigeria has begun exploring sustainable waste management practices, much remains to be done to meet the country’s environmental and energy needs. “The mechanism for enforcing environmental regulations is still weak. Policies often lag behind technological advances, and this hampers efforts to reduce industrial emissions and manage waste effectively,” he added.

The professor identified the transition to a circular economy as a promising trend in environmental engineering. “This concept aligns with my work on energy and material recovery from solid waste. It promotes resource recovery, waste minimisation, and closed-loop systems,” he explained.

Highlighting the growing relevance of technologies like anaerobic digestion, gasification, and pyrolysis, he stressed the need for infrastructure investment and technical capacity building to facilitate energy recovery from waste.

He also called for the integration of big data and machine learning into Nigeria’s environmental management systems. According to him, predictive models can forecast waste generation and optimise recycling and emissions control, ultimately making systems more efficient.

Addressing the urgent need to curb greenhouse gas emissions in Nigeria, Professor Yusuf said, “Developing countries like ours need innovative and context-specific solutions to reduce emissions.

“My research on methane and other gaseous pollutants puts me in a position to contribute to sustainable strategies that combine emissions reduction with energy recovery.”

In a direct appeal to the Kwara State Government, he urged the revival of the plan to build an Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility in Ilorin, designed by CIWAT Engineers and previously earmarked for Gbagede.

“The reckless dumping of waste in Ilorin is worsening. Revisiting this project is necessary, especially with the current increase in population and waste volume,” he stated.

The lecture was attended by members of the university management, academic community, students, and guests from across Nigeria.

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