By DAYO ADESULU
A lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at , Engr. Tairu Onawale Toyin, has secured a research grant worth N41 million from the to develop innovative solutions for waste management and the preservation of perishable food products in Nigeria.
The grant was awarded under TETFund’s 2026 National Research Fund intervention programme, which approved funding for 174 research proposals across tertiary institutions nationwide.
Engr. Onawale’s project, titled “Smart Waste Management and Cold Chain Logistics: Integrating IoT and Biogas for Efficient Perishable Food Storage,” aims to address two critical challenges facing the country—poor waste management and high post-harvest losses.
The research will leverage the Internet of Things (IoT) and renewable biogas technology to create an integrated system capable of managing organic waste while improving cold-chain logistics for the storage and preservation of agricultural produce.
The Federal Government, through TETFund, approved a total of N7.5 billion in grants for innovative research projects across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Individual grants range from N13.6 million to N49.97 million and are intended to provide practical, technology-driven solutions to national development challenges.
The project is expected to help reduce post-harvest losses, strengthen food security, promote environmental sustainability, and support the country’s transition to cleaner and renewable energy sources.
Reacting to the development, Rector of YABATECH, , described the grant as a significant recognition of the institution’s growing reputation for research excellence and innovation.
According to him, the achievement underscores YABATECH’s commitment to developing practical solutions to societal challenges through applied research and technology-driven initiatives.
He noted that Engr. Onawale’s success further strengthens the institution’s position as one of Nigeria’s leading polytechnics in research, technology development, and industry-focused innovation.
The rector added that the grant represents another milestone in YABATECH’s efforts to deepen research excellence and foster innovations capable of addressing pressing socio-economic and environmental issues facing the nation.
He also commended TETFund for investing in research and innovation, describing the intervention as a strategic contribution to Nigeria’s knowledge economy.
According to Dr. Abdul, the outcomes of the funded projects are expected to drive the development of new products and services, boost productivity, create employment opportunities, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.
Other polytechnics selected to benefit from the 2026 National Research Fund intervention include , , , and , among several other tertiary institutions across the country.
The latest achievement adds to YABATECH’s growing portfolio of research successes and highlights the increasing role of Nigerian polytechnics in developing innovative solutions to national development challenges.
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