According to research expert Prof. Lateef Agbaje, Nigeria has the potential to leverage its agricultural waste for economic development.
Prof. Lateef Agbaje, head of the Nanotechnology Research Group (NANO+) at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, emphasized Nigeria’s potential to transform agricultural waste into valuable resources during an interview in Abuja on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
He noted that Nigeria generates millions of tons of agricultural waste annually, much of which comes from crops like cassava, groundnuts, cashews, and rice. These materials are often discarded, contributing to environmental pollution and climate change.
Agbaje highlighted that the emerging zero-waste approach, combined with advancements in biotechnology and nanotechnology, offers a sustainable solution to this issue.
He explained that converting agro-waste into useful products could foster new industries, address environmental challenges, reduce poverty, and support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“There is potential to produce bio-energy, biogas, bio-hydrogen, animal feed, citric acid, and even nanomaterials from these wastes,” he stated.
As the world’s largest producer of groundnuts, Nigeria accumulates vast amounts of waste from shells and husks. Similarly, cashew and rice waste, rather than being left to degrade or pollute the environment, could be repurposed into valuable products.
“These agro-wastes are rich in nutrients that microorganisms can utilize to generate animal feed, fertilizers, and energy,” he added.
Agbaje also pointed out that Nigeria, as a key rice producer, could transform its rice waste into nanomaterials like graphene and carbon nanotubes.
Additionally, extracting phytochemicals from rice waste could serve as catalysts in the production of other nanomaterials.
He further explained that cashew waste, which includes both the nut and shell, could be converted into citric acid—an essential industrial chemical widely used in food and pharmaceutical production.
“By producing citric acid locally from agro-waste, Nigeria could reduce its dependence on imports, conserve foreign exchange, and create new industrial opportunities,” he said.
Beyond economic benefits, Agbaje stressed that repurposing agricultural waste could significantly improve environmental conditions, provide additional income for farmers, and mitigate climate change by reducing emissions from waste burning.
He emphasized that bio-energy derived from agro-waste could serve as an alternative to fossil fuels, promoting cleaner air and renewable energy sources.
“By introducing farmers to innovative waste-to-product technologies, they can diversify their income streams and become less dependent on crop yields alone. This would support poverty alleviation, especially in rural areas where agriculture is the main source of livelihood,” he explained.
According to Agbaje, adopting these waste-to-value strategies aligns with Nigeria’s efforts to achieve SDGs related to poverty reduction, clean energy, and sustainable agriculture.
However, he identified key challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, limited funding for research and development, and the absence of policies that support innovation in waste management and renewable energy.
To overcome these barriers, he called for stronger government policies and incentives to promote research in agro-waste utilization.
He also stressed the importance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to expand investment in agro-waste industries, enhance farmer education on recycling benefits, and improve necessary infrastructure.
