From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole, has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to unlock the economic potential embedded in agricultural waste, saying Nigeria must embrace innovative approaches that convert waste into wealth for sustainable development.
Egbewole made the call during the second edition of the Town and Gown Workshop organised by the Faculty of Agriculture of the institution in Ilorin.
The workshop, which focused on regenerative economy and opportunities in transforming agricultural waste into valuable products, brought together academics, policymakers, agro-based businesses and development agencies.
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Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Management Services, Professor Adegboyega Fawole, the Vice Chancellor, said the theme of the workshop aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises value addition and wealth creation in agriculture.
According to him, “This workshop provides a platform to bring ministries, agencies, researchers and farmers together to make agriculture more attractive and productive. It is an eye-opener on how what we consider waste can become useful and profitable products.”
He commended the Faculty of Agriculture for initiating the programme and urged the organisers to expand the scope of product exhibitions in future editions, noting that students and participants were excited by the opportunity to showcase innovations.
In his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Israel Ogunlade, said the workshop was designed to bridge the gap between research findings and community needs.
“Our goal is to ensure that knowledge generated from research positively impacts society, while also integrating traditional knowledge to promote the agricultural sector,” he said.
Ogunlade added that the faculty is working to change public perception about agricultural waste, stressing that converting waste to wealth would not only promote healthier living but also reduce the effects of climate change.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Head of Department and sustainability lead under the UNIDO/EU 2025 Programme, Dr. Kehinde Affinnih, urged farmers and agribusiness operators to adopt circular economy principles.
She said, “We must embrace circularity, reduce waste and improve resource efficiency. Revisiting traditional farming practices that pre-date chemical fertilisers can help us enrich organic matter and improve soil health sustainably.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Professor Adebisi Adeyina, expressed optimism that the workshop would boost national economic growth, particularly through improved crop waste utilisation.
The event featured paper presentations by Professor B.S. Bada on regenerative economy and agricultural waste transformation, Professor P.A. Babajide on urban farming and sustainable food production, and Mr. Obafemi Bankole on the application of adapted technologies to simplify farming.
Dignitaries at the event included members of the university management team, the Registrar, Barrister Mansur Alfanla, as well as representatives from the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation, Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute, Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute and the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, alongside agro-product dealers and other stakeholders.
