25th August 2025
By Peter Omopo
Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), Lagos, has secured a research grant of €117,000 (over ₦200 million) from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme to advance innovation in food security.
The project, titled “Integrated Aquaponics System for Sustainable Catfish Production and Dual Crop Cultivation of Leafy Vegetables and Corn”, will pilot a solar-powered aquaponics system that combines catfish farming with the cultivation of vegetables and maize.
The initiative is spearheaded by the College’s Director of Research Support and Grants Management, Dr. Funmilayo Doherty, in collaboration with the Yabatech Agric Cooperative Society. A Local Innovation Hub will be established in Lagos to test, adapt, and replicate the model for sustainable agriculture and community-based food resilience.
“The pilot scheme will show how renewable energy and integrated farming can reduce costs, boost productivity, and strengthen household nutrition,” Doherty said. “Participants will be the first group to engage with the model, which is designed to be scaled across communities in Nigeria and West Africa.”
The project enjoys technical collaboration from researchers at the University of Lagos, the University of Turku (Finland), and the University of Lapland (Finland). Doherty noted that the initiative reflects Yabatech’s commitment to aligning research with pressing national and global challenges.
“The College has steadily built a reputation for projects that combine technical education with practical solutions for society. With over 200 PhD-qualified lecturers, Yabatech has the capacity to sustain and expand such projects through rigorous research, training, and policy engagement,” she added.
The development comes shortly after Yabatech secured another grant under the World Bank–supported National Youth Employment Skills Acquisition Framework, which funds the training of 200 young Nigerians in digital and creative media skills.
According to Doherty, both grants highlight Yabatech’s dual role as an academic institution and a driver of national development, balancing education with entrepreneurship and real-world problem-solving.
The AQUACLEC research team includes Dr. Olufunke Oyebamiji, Dr. Olusola Dada, Mrs. Henrietta Badejo, Mr. Abdulwakeel Oluwatobi Atoyebi, Mr. Olufunmi Dada, Dr. Akin Olaleru, Mrs. Adeola Oke, Mr. Aguh Anthony, and Mrs. Rebecca Martin. They are working alongside Dr. Idowu Aneyo of UNILAG, Dr. Moammar Dayoub of the University of Turku, and Dr. Dele Raheem of the University of Lapland.
