By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Yabatech |
LAGOS, Nigeria – Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) has been awarded research grants totalling ₦62.9 million from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) under the National Research Fund (NRF). The grants will fund two transformative projects aimed at addressing critical environmental and energy challenges.
The announcement, made official on Monday, solidifies Yabatech's reputation as a leading institution in Nigeria for practical, impactful research and technological development.
A major portion of the grant, ₦24.1 million, was awarded to Dr. Emodi Izuchukwu from the School of Art, Design, and Printing. His pioneering project, titled ‘Transforming Marine Pollution into Art’, seeks to creatively convert harmful marine debris and waste into valuable artworks.
This research directly supports the development of Nigeria's "blue economy," aiming to create new maritime opportunities for inclusive economic growth and cultural renewal. By finding innovative uses for ocean pollution, the project promotes environmental sustainability and offers a creative model for waste management.
Dr. Izuchukwu will lead a multidisciplinary team comprising Chinyere Ndubuisi, Emmanuel Irokanulo, Florence Nweke, and Adenike Ezeagwu to explore and develop new methods for repurposing marine waste into economic and cultural assets.
The second grant, worth ₦38.8 million, was secured by Dr. Akin Olaleru of the School of Engineering. His research focuses on developing hybrid perovskite semiconductors for efficient photovoltaic devices a breakthrough that could significantly improve the efficiency and affordability of solar panels.
This groundbreaking work in clean energy technology is poised to accelerate the growth of Nigeria's solar power sector, addressing the nation's energy needs with sustainable solutions. Dr. Olaleru will collaborate with co-researchers Olufunke Oyebamiji, Olasoji Adekoya, and Matthew Solomon.
In its statement, the college emphasized that these landmark awards highlight Yabatech's growing influence in addressing global challenges through sustainability and technological innovation. The grants underscore the critical role of applied research in driving national development, industry transformation, and environmental protection.
“This achievement reaffirms our commitment to producing research that delivers practical solutions to real-world problems,” the statement read. “With these grants, Yabatech continues leading transformative research that impacts society, industry, and the environment.”