Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos , has recorded a major research breakthrough as two multidisciplinary teams of its researchers secured grants worth about N80 million from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) under the 2026 National Research Fund intervention.
The grants, awarded for cutting-edge research projects in renewable energy, environmental sustainability, waste management, and food preservation, underscore the institution's growing reputation as a hub for applied research and technological innovation.
One of the projects, titled "Smart Waste Management and Cold Chain Logistics: Integrating IoT and Biogas for Efficient Perishable Food Storage," is led by Engr. Tairu Onawale Toyin of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The project received a grant of approximately N41 million.
The research seeks to deploy Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and biogas-powered systems to address challenges associated with waste management and the storage of perishable agricultural products.
The initiative is expected to reduce post-harvest losses, enhance food security, improve energy efficiency, and promote environmental sustainability.
Members of the research team include Dr. Engr. Ismail Badmus, Engr. A. J. Bakiri, Mr. Ojesipe Adebisi Adeoye, Mr. Badmus Babatunde, Engr. O. A. Ogunyemi, Mrs. N. A. Abdullahi Akinleye, Miss Akinjaiyeju, and Miss Akinjaiyeju Doyinsola Olubunmi.
The second project, titled "Circular Economy: Converting Plastic Waste to Gas by Gasification," is led by Dr. Engr. Ogunyemi Olumide I. of the Department of Chemical Engineering and attracted a grant of N38.78 million.
The project focuses on developing sustainable technologies for converting plastic waste into useful gaseous fuel through gasification processes. Researchers believe the innovation will provide practical solutions to the growing challenge of plastic pollution while creating alternative energy sources for communities and industries.
The multidisciplinary team comprises Dr. Ofodile Lauretta N. (Biological Sciences), Dr. Agamah Franca U. (Urban and Regional Planning), Dr. Engr. Badmus Ismaila, Engr. Okoye Godfrey U. (Mechanical Engineering), Mr. Anjorin Saanu I. (Central Research Laboratory).
The project also includes three mentees: Rebecca Ojochide Martins (Vocational Education), Francis Uwakwe Okoh (Electrical Engineering), and Ridwan Abiola Oyetunde (Mechanical Engineering).
According to the researchers, the findings and technologies expected from the plastic waste-to-gas project will help address environmental degradation caused by plastic waste, advance academic research, support environmental sustainability, and empower communities through innovative waste-to-energy solutions with benefits extending beyond Lagos State.
The twin grant awards are part of the Federal Government's N7.5 billion research intervention approved through TETFund for 174 research projects across Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
The intervention is designed to strengthen research capacity, drive innovation, and provide practical solutions to national developmental challenges.
The rector, Yaba College of Technology, Dr Engr Ibraheem Abdul described the achievement as a testament to the institution's commitment to excellence in research, innovation, and technology-driven solutions.
He noted that the successful grants further position the college as a leading polytechnic contributing significantly to Nigeria's knowledge economy and sustainable development agenda.
“With the two projects attracting nearly N80 million in research funding,
YABATECH has reinforced its status as a centre of excellence for applied research capable of generating transformative solutions in renewable energy, environmental management, food security, and industrial development”; he averred.
Dr. Abdul added that the award represents another milestone in its quest to strengthen research excellence and foster innovations capable of addressing pressing socio-economic and environmental challenges facing the nation.
The Rector hailed the TETFund initiative as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s knowledge economy, noting that research outcomes from the funded projects are expected to generate new products and services, enhance productivity, create employment opportunities, and contribute to national economic growth.
Other polytechnics selected to benefit from the intervention alongside Yabatech were Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Federal Polytechnic Bida, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Kaduna Polytechnic, and several other tertiary institutions across the country.
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