The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has called on tertiary institutions to turn academic research outcomes into practical, market-ready technologies capable of tackling Nigeria’s growing energy hurdles.
Prof. Shua’ibu Shehu Aliyu, PTDF Executive Secretary, represented by Ereh Iyalla, Head Gas Division, made the call at the close-out seminar of the PTDF Professorial Chair in Renewable Energy at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State.
According to him, research institutions must move beyond academic publications to technology development, demonstration, industry adoption and commercialisation.
He noted that converting agricultural waste into biodiesel demonstrated how research and innovation could transform environmental challenges into economic opportunities.
He added that such innovations could provide alternative energy sources while promoting effective waste management, entrepreneurship, local technology development and employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
He said the evolving energy landscape required research institutions to develop practical and commercially viable solutions in renewable energy and other emerging technologies.
Aliyu urged the university and researchers to build on the achievements recorded under the Professorial Chair and sustain the partnerships and innovations developed through the programme.
He reaffirmed PTDF’s commitment to supporting research, innovation, technological advancement and indigenous human capacity development for Nigeria’s energy sector.
In his presentation, Prof Kessington Obahiagbaon noted that the global dependence on fossil diesel has created twin problems of gas emissions and energy insecurity.
The professor of chemical engineering said the global energy crisis, climate change, and waste management burden have made agro-waste to fuel a critical pathway for the 21st century.
Speaking on the challenges and future direction of biodiesel development in Nigeria, Prof Obahiagbaon said feedstock availability and cost, ensuring a stable and affordable supply, remain crucial.
What You Should Know
The PTDF is pushing for a shift from traditional academic publishing to practical industrial innovation, using the University of Benin’s recent renewable energy close-out seminar as a focal point. Researchers successfully showcased how agricultural waste can be converted into biodiesel, creating a viable path toward solving waste management and energy scarcity issues simultaneously.
- Positive Impact: Commercializing these innovations could provide cheaper alternative energy sources, foster green entrepreneurship, and create employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
- Potential Concerns: The success of biodiesel and other alternative energy ventures heavily depends on feedstock availability, stable supply chains, and production costs remaining affordable.
