By DAYO ADESULU
YABA, LAGOS — Researchers at Yaba College of Technology have secured nearly N80 million in research grants from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund under the 2026 National Research Fund intervention, marking a significant boost for innovation in food preservation, renewable energy, and environmental sustainability.
The grants were awarded to two multidisciplinary research teams whose projects focus on addressing critical national challenges, including post-harvest food losses, waste management, plastic pollution, and alternative energy generation.
One of the projects, titled “Smart Waste Management and Cold Chain Logistics: Integrating IoT and Biogas for Efficient Perishable Food Storage,” received approximately N41 million in funding. The research is being led by Engr. Tairu Onawale Toyin of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
According to the project team, the initiative will deploy Internet of Things (IoT) technologies alongside biogas-powered systems to improve waste management and enhance the storage of perishable agricultural products. The innovation is expected to reduce post-harvest losses, strengthen food security, improve energy efficiency, and support environmental sustainability.
The second project, “Circular Economy: Converting Plastic Waste to Gas by Gasification,” attracted N38.78 million in funding and is being led by Dr. Engr. Ogunyemi Olumide I. of the Department of Chemical Engineering.
The research focuses on converting plastic waste into useful gaseous fuel through gasification technology. Researchers believe the project will offer practical solutions to the growing problem of plastic pollution while creating alternative energy sources for households and industries.
The team further stated that the expected outcomes would contribute to reducing environmental degradation, promoting sustainability, advancing academic research, and empowering communities through innovative waste-to-energy solutions that could have impacts beyond Lagos State.
The twin grants form part of the Federal Government’s N7.5 billion research intervention approved through TETFund for 174 research projects in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide. The intervention aims to strengthen research capacity, drive innovation, and provide practical solutions to national development challenges.
Reacting to the achievement, the Rector of YABATECH, Dr. Engr. Ibraheem Abdul, described the grants as evidence of the institution’s commitment to excellence in research, innovation, and technology-driven solutions.
He noted that the successful funding awards further position the college as a leading polytechnic contributing 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,” the rector said.
Dr. Abdul added that the grants represent another milestone in the institution’s efforts to deepen research excellence and foster innovations capable of tackling pressing socio-economic and environmental challenges across the country. He also commended
TETFund for what he described as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s knowledge economy, expressing optimism that the research outcomes would generate new products and services, create jobs, boost productivity, and support national economic growth.
Other polytechnics selected to benefit from the intervention include Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Federal Polytechnic Bida, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, and Kaduna Polytechnic, among several tertiary institutions across the country.
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