The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening research, innovation and human capital development in Nigerian universities, with a focus on developing practical solutions to national and industry challenges.
The Executive Secretary of PTDF, Prof. Shua’ibu Aliyu, stated this during the close-out ceremony of the PTDF Professional Chair in Renewable Energy at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Benin City, on Thursday.
Aliyu, who was represented by the Head of Gas Division, PTDF, Ereh Iyalla, said Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape requires research institutions to develop practical and commercially viable solutions in renewable energy and other emerging technologies.
He described the seminar theme, “Agrowaste to Fuel: Biodiesel Development, Opportunities and Challenges for Youth Employment in the 21st Century,” as timely and relevant to Nigeria’s pursuit of sustainable energy, environmental protection, economic diversification and youth employment.
According to him, converting agricultural waste into biodiesel demonstrates how research and innovation can transform environmental challenges into economic opportunities.
He explained that the approach could provide alternative energy sources while supporting waste management, entrepreneurship, local technology development and job creation for young Nigerians.
Aliyu urged researchers to ensure that their findings go beyond academic publications to practical technology development, demonstration, industry adoption and commercialisation.
The chairholder of the PTDF Chair in Renewable Energy at UNIBEN, Prof. Kensington Obahiagbon, who delivered the lecture, said global dependence on fossil diesel had contributed to greenhouse gas emissions and energy insecurity.
He noted that the global energy crisis, climate change and growing waste management challenges had made the conversion of agricultural waste into fuel an important pathway towards sustainable energy development.
Obahiagbon explained that using agricultural waste as a feedstock for biodiesel production aligns with the principles of the circular economy, which promotes resource efficiency and the productive reuse of waste materials.
He outlined the opportunities and challenges facing biodiesel development in Nigeria, stressing the need for government support through tax incentives, subsidies and infrastructure investment.
He also highlighted the importance of private-sector investment in addressing funding gaps and providing the technology and expertise required for large-scale biodiesel production.
However, he identified inadequate infrastructure, including roads, storage facilities and refineries, as well as the need for a stable supply of feedstock such as vegetable oils and animal fats, as major obstacles to the sector’s growth.
He added that Nigeria’s prospects for biodiesel development would depend not only on the availability of technology and raw materials but also on effective coordination, investment and organised implementation.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, SAN, attended the ceremony alongside other principal officers of the university.
In his remarks, Omoregie expressed appreciation to the PTDF for selecting the university as a beneficiary of the initiative. He highlighted the strength of the university’s Faculty of Engineering and described UNIBEN as a leading institution in higher education.
The vice-chancellor also emphasised the importance of renewable energy to national development, assuring the PTDF that the university would continue to value the partnership and maximise the opportunities it provides.
The initiative underscores the role of collaboration between research institutions, government and the private sector in advancing renewable energy innovation, promoting sustainable development and creating employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
