Bayelsa State has taken a significant step toward sustainability with the breakthrough research of Dr. Faith Ogbole, a researcher at the University of Africa, Toru-Orua (UAT). Through a year-long, government-funded study, Ogbole has successfully developed a biogas plant that converts waste into methane gas. An innovation that poses an eco-friendly alternative to traditional cooking gas.
The project, funded by the Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund (BYEDTF), aims to address multiple challenges. This also includes waste management, job creation, and access to affordable clean energy.
BYEDTF officials officially visited UAT in Sagbama Local Government Area, on February 7, 2025. They witnessed a live demonstration of the innovative biogas production process. Ogbole explained that the plant, which was locally fabricated, efficiently processes various waste materials. This includes septic waste, plantain peels, animal dung, and grasses—into methane gas.
“The rising cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and the need for sustainable energy solutions inspired this project,” Ogbole stated. “By repurposing waste, we not only provide a cost-effective alternative to cooking gas but also create jobs and improve environmental sustainability.”
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The Vice-Chancellor of UAT and Acting Chairman of BYEDTF, Prof. Francis Sikoki, praised the research, highlighting its commercial potential. He reaffirmed BYEDTF’s commitment to supporting innovative and problem-solving projects across Bayelsa’s tertiary institutions.
Chief Evelyn Adombazi, Chairman of the Scientific Research and Technology Development Committee, commended the initiative and encouraged further refinement to make the biogas solution widely accessible.
The BYEDTF team also inspected other state-funded research projects, including the Bayelsa Larvae Project and a study on cyanide separation from environmental waste, reinforcing the government’s dedication to scientific advancements for sustainable development.
As Bayelsa continues investing in research-driven sustainability initiatives, Ogbole’s biogas plant project stands as a model for innovative waste-to-energy solutions in Nigeria. This breakthrough underscores the power of local ingenuity in addressing global environmental challenges while fostering economic growth.
