Expert Seeks Effective Food Waste Management System In Lagos

Related stories

“Nigeria’s challenges not about the constitution, but its operators”, says Obasanjo

By Yanju Uwala A former Nigerian President and military Head...

Nigeria Surpasses OPEC’s 1.5 Million Barrel Oil Quota in June 2025

By Abiola Olawale In a major achievement for Africa’s largest...

Natasha vs Akpabio: Senate President Heads to Court, Challenges Court Order to Reinstate Senator

By Abiola Olawale President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio...
 By ‘Dotun Akintomide

The adoption of anaerobic digestion of food waste as a sustainable technology for waste management system will ensure a reduction in tonnages of unmanaged wastes in Lagos State, a chemical engineer, Dr. Olorunwa Tijani had said.

 Anaerobic digestion of food waste is a series of biological processes in which microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen. One of the end products is biogas, which is combusted to generate electricity and heat as well as be processed into renewable natural gas and transportation fuels.

 According to Tijani, amongst waste treatment options, which include; recycling and material recovery, aerobic composting, incineration, and sanitary landfill, anaerobic digestion is highly favoured for Lagos due to its potential to divert wastes from landfills, as well as reduce immediately, the green house gas (GHG) emissions, thereby effectively mitigating against the major cause-source of global warming and climate change.

Presenting a paper titled: “Anaerobic Digestion of Food Waste: A case study for inclusion in the waste management strategy for Lagos,” he said the method should be considered as a potentially viable alternative for the recovery of valuable energy in the form of  Methane (CH4) explaining that its end product is a digestate which can be used as fertilizer for agriculture.

This much, he said at the 10th year remembrance lecture organized for a prominent Fellow of the Society, late Cosmas Olufunsho Odunaiya jointly hosted by the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers, (NSChE), Lagos/Ogun Chapters; the Odunaiya family and the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) in Lagos.

 Tijani explained that given the huge Lagos population, lack of existing data on waste management and the fact that waste management is region specific, there is need for the development of a technology that can be localized, simple and cheap to design and operate.

“When considering implementation strategies for a place like Lagos, it is important to restate key challenges that might thwart the development of sustainable biogas-producing anaerobic digestion technologies, which are pertinent to most urban environments in developing countries.”

 Tijani urged government on the need to introduce Anaerobic Digestion units in places where food wastes are already available in abundance; initiate food waste AD systems in residential communities with strong existing local leadership; encourage the public to provide their food waste to the digester; assign trained supervisors to a sub-set of AD locations with a local manager and initially focusing on locations where pilot systems will be trialed.

“Large families who produce a substantial amount of food waste would be encouraged and educated to develop their “own” home digester to produce biogas for home cookers, livestock farmers like: cattle and poultry farmers, would be encouraged to also adopt the use of AD and the need to establish a government-industry and academic-public steering group who would have the responsibility of AD performance and promotion,” he stated.

In his goodwill message, the national President, NSChE, Prof. Sam Adefila,  lauded Oduaniya’s contributions, strengths and passion directed at mentoring young professionals towards greatness.

 The program was well attended by Odunaiya’s former colleagues, close associates, family members, current engineering students of LASPOTECH, as well as Fellows and members of NSChE across the country.

Hamilton Nwosa
Hamilton Nwosa
Hamilton Nwosa is an experienced, and committed communication, business, administrative, data and research specialist . His deep knowledge of the intersection between communication, business, data, and journalism are quite profound. His passion for professional excellence remains the guiding principle of his work, and in the course of his career spanning sectors such as administration, tourism, business management, communication and journalism, Hamilton has won key awards. He is a delightful writer, researcher and data analyst. He loves team-work, problem-solving, organizational management, communication strategy, and enjoys travelling. He can be reached at: hamilton_68@yahoo.com

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

Latest stories

NDN
Latest News
Elderstatesman, Emeka Anyaoku, Speaks Again , Urges Nigeria to Adopt a "People’s Democratic Constitution""Nigeria's challenges not about the constitution, but its operators", says ObasanjoNigeria Surpasses OPEC’s 1.5 Million Barrel Oil Quota in June 2025Natasha vs Akpabio: Senate President Heads to Court, Challenges Court Order to Reinstate SenatorOluwo Commends Awujale's Burial, Says Late Monarchs Shouldn't Be "Butchered Like Animals"Alleged N6.9Billion Fraud: Drama as Ex-Governor Fayose Wins in CourtOgun PDP Knocks Dapo Abiodun, Backs Striking Workers: "Strike Action is lawful, a response to Abuse"[Full Letter] Atiku Abubakar Quits PDP, Signals Major Political Shift Ahead of 2027 ElectionsNational Grid Crisis: Six Universities, MTN, NDA, 16 Others Exit Grid, Resort to Own Power GenerationOgun PDP Knocks Dapo Abiodun, Backs Striking Workers: "Strike Action is lawful, a response to Abuse"Alleged N6.9Billion Fraud: Drama as Ex-Governor Fayose Wins in CourtOluwo Commends Awujale's Burial, Says Late Monarchs Shouldn't Be "Butchered Like Animals"Natasha vs Akpabio: Senate President Heads to Court, Challenges Court Order to Reinstate SenatorNigeria Surpasses OPEC’s 1.5 Million Barrel Oil Quota in June 2025"Nigeria's challenges not about the constitution, but its operators", says Obasanjo
X whatsapp