With the world experiencing diversity in technology and change in climate, the easiest, fastest, and minimally expensive route to meeting man’s daily needs has become his most important thought. Among such daily worries are feeding, clothing, housing, health, and education. A Professor of Forestry, Wood Products, and Bioresources Technology at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA Babatunde Ajayi is leading an initiative to tackle prevailing environmental challenges and conserve forest resources especially wood by using wood wastes, agricultural wastes, and weeds combined with inorganic and organic binders for various products. Investigations have been conducted on these bio composite materials and have been found suitable for various applications in response to the strive for daily supplies, particularly in the area of wood resources, which, according to him are being depleted as raw materials, as a result of over-exploitation.
In addition, Professor Ajayi has extensively worked on the production of pulp and paper using wastes from banana stems, pineapple suckers, wood wastes, and bamboo, among others. This, no doubt, also has a direct bearing on the continuous yearning against climate change and the clamor to bring about a new phase in building and construction businesses as well as a reorientation in manufacturing processes.
By creating affordable and accessible building value-added products from waste materials, Professor Ajayi's innovations provide economic opportunities for entrepreneurs and communities, contributing to poverty alleviation and sustainable development, as in SDG 1. On the other hand, utilizing agricultural wastes and other organic and inorganic binders for manufacturing building construction materials will reduce the pressure on wood resources and promote the efficient use of agricultural by-products. This indirectly supports efforts to address food security and achieve zero hunger as in SDG 2, while utilization of sustainable construction materials contributes to creating healthier living environments by reducing exposure to harmful chemicals and promoting better indoor air quality, thereby having positive impacts on public health and well-being as in SDG 3; and SDG 16 which deals with access to affordable housing and infrastructure which play crucial roles in promoting social stability and reducing inequalities by providing sustainable building solutions.
Professor Ajayi's innovative approach to fabricating construction materials using bio-wastes aligns with the global quest to leverage Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) to advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and intersects the UN's focus on STI for SDG advancement. His attempts not only address SDGs 1. No Poverty (End Poverty); 2. Zero Hunger (End Hunger); 3. Good Health and Well-being (Ensure Healthy Lives), 4. Quality Education (Training the Trainers); 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth (Employment for all); 9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (Innovation for Sustainable Output); 12. Responsible Consumption and Production (Sustainable Productivity); 13. Climate Action (Impactful Resilient Action); 15. Life on Land (Biodiversity Restoration and Land Reclamation); 16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (Peace for Enjoyment); and 17. Partnership for the Goals (Support, Revitalize for Prosperity), but also contribute to the broader UN agenda for sustainable development goals.
Professor Ajayi's innovations exemplify successful experiences that can be scaled up to have impacts across multiple SDGs and targets. His approach demonstrates the potential of leveraging local resources and knowledge to address critical global challenges sustainably. It contributes to building resilient communities and fostering peaceful societies.
As a leading Researcher in the area of wood products, bioresources, and sustainable forest management, Professor Ajayi has over the years pushed for and begun the modelling of the expanded production of environmentally and easily replicated value-added bio-composites from conventional and non-conventional raw materials aimed at developing products that can conveniently stand as alternatives for wood and ceramic products to meet the demand for sustainable construction materials for core and low-cost housing in rural and urban areas, furniture wares, kitchen, bathroom and other floor and wall tiles, whilst also posing as a means of employment and poverty alleviation.
According to Professor Ajayi, these products are hybrids of organic, inorganic (cement), and plastic, raw waste materials like banana stems, peels, trunks, plantain, and yam stem, bamboo reinforced with assorted wood, weeds, and agricultural by-products, using adaptable and innovative manufacturing techniques. He explains that “the cement or plastic matrix serves to bind the assorted wood wastes, weeds and/or agricultural by-products together to produce durable panel products. During production, a reduced quantity of cement is used as a binder to achieve durability, stiffness, and strength of the finished products.” During production, raw materials are processed into flakes using flakers, which are in turn converted to particles by a hammer mill. Particles generated are screened to remove all forms of impurities before board manufacturing. In the n case of inorganic bonded boards, the particles are treated in hot water to remove the superfluous materials capable of inhibiting the setting and curing of the binder. The particles, binder and additive are mixed based on an experimental design before it is formed inside a mold. Thereafter, the mat formed is prepressed and pressed to attain the target thickness. At the expiration of this procedure, the board is conditioned, cut into specimens, and tested for strength and dimensional movement. Data obtained is analysed to determine the effect of the variables that formed the board.
According to Professor Ajayi, Entrepreneurs should embrace this comprehensive solution for improving the supply of construction materials by making use of cultivated agriculture by-products and weeds. All these are naturally provided at no cost and will create a new market for the growing demands of low-cost and core housing needs in rural and urban areas. Issues of food security, wellness, employment, poverty alleviation, industrial development, and growth in general will be sustained.
Investing in bio-resource technology indeed holds immense potential for addressing multiple global challenges, from poverty alleviation to climate change mitigation and sustainable development. By leveraging biotechnology, we can tap into renewable resources more efficiently and develop innovative solutions to various socio-environmental problems. This approach can lead to the creation of new industries, job opportunities, and economic growth while reducing reliance on finite resources and minimizing environmental degradation.
Collaborative efforts among Governments, Industries, Research Institutions, and communities are crucial for realizing the full benefits of bio-resource technology. By promoting cooperation, accessing funds, and supporting common projects, we can harness collective expertise and resources to achieve sustainable development goals and create a prosperous world for future generations.
Key areas of focus in bio-resource technology investment include:
• Sustainable Agriculture: Developing genetically modified crops, bio-fertilizers, and bio-pesticides to enhance crop yields, reduce agricultural inputs, and promote soil health.
• Renewable Energy: Investing in biofuels, biomass energy, and biogas production to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
• Waste Management: Utilizing biotechnology to convert organic wastes into valuable products such as biofuels, bioplastics, and bio-chemicals, thereby reducing landfill wastes and pollution.
• Bioremediation: Implementing biological processes to clean up contaminated soil, water, and air, restoring ecosystems and improving environmental quality.
• Biomedical applications: Advancing medical research and healthcare through the development of biopharmaceuticals, biomaterials, and indigenous medicine.
By prioritizing investment in these areas and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, acceleration and transition towards a more sustainable and resilient global economy is achievable, while addressing pressing social and environmental challenges too.
The adoption of Professor Ajayi's innovative building materials has the potential to catalyse significant socio-economic and environmental benefits, particularly in rural communities, accordingly:
Poverty Alleviation: Providing an affordable and accessible means of producing building materials, entrepreneurs, particularly those in rural areas, can start small-scale production ventures with minimal investment. This can lead to income generation and employment opportunities, thereby alleviating poverty and improving livelihoods.
Environmental Conservation: The utilization of waste materials for building construction reduces the reliance on traditional raw materials sourced from forests, thereby mitigating deforestation, and preserving biodiversity. Additionally, by diverting waste from conventional disposal methods like burning, these products help curb environmental degradation and pollution.
Job Creation: The establishment of production facilities for these innovative building materials creates job opportunities, particularly in rural areas where unemployment may be high. This not only boosts local economies but also empowers communities by providing sustainable livelihood options.
Climate Change Mitigation: The production and utilization of bio-composite panel products as alternatives to traditional building materials such as sawn timber helps mitigate climate change by reducing carbon emissions associated with deforestation and transportation. Additionally, these products are more resistant to bending forces and bio-deteriorating agents, leading to longer-lasting structures and lower maintenance requirements.
Promotion of Innovation: The adoption of these innovative building materials stimulates advancements in science, technology, engineering, and architectural design. It encourages creativity and innovation in construction practices, leading to the development of sustainable and resilient infrastructure solutions.
Local Sourcing and Sustainability: These value-added products are derivable from locally available non-conventional raw materials, further reducing costs and promoting sustainability. By reducing the pressure on forest resources and increasing local income generation, the utilization of these materials contributes to the long-term socio-economic development of rural and urban communities.
Overall, the widespread adoption of Professor Ajayi's bio-composite panel products have the potential to transform the construction industry, promote sustainable development, and improve the quality of life for communities around the world.
He has presented his research findings at various fora globally including Vancouver, Canada in 2004; Grand Rapids, Michigan USA, 2004; Brisbane, Australia 2005; Brazil, Sao Paulo, 2006; Pirassununga and Lavras 2007; Tapei, Taiwan 2007; Madrid, Spain 2008; St LOUIS, Missouri, 2008; Aalborg Denmark in 2010; Brazil, Pirassununga 2010; Madison, Wisconsin, 2010; Seoul, Korea 2010; Cairo, Egypt 2010; Portland, Oregon 2011; Washington, DC 2012; Canberra, Australia 2012; Austin, Texas 2013; Portugal, 2014; Atlanta, Georgia 2015; Jackson, Wyoming 2015; Vietnam 2015; Portugal 2016; Cape Town, South Africa, 2018, Portland Oregon, 2019 and others.
Based on the foregoing, Professor Ajayi recommends the following:
Ø Aggressive studies of Nigeria lesser-known wood species, weed and agricultural residues for pulp and paper production. Value added bio composite panels should be investigated in order to establish a data bank as a guide for studies, research, innovation, biodiversity conservation, processing, conversion, and utilization.
Ø Public-Private Partnership (PPP) should be involved in the research efforts to investigate, document, and utilize information on value added panel products as it affects various aspects of the national economy.
Ø Financial institutions both local and international should support this type of project as a means of mitigating climate change, food security, and conservation of biodiversity, poverty alleviation, increase prosperity and employment as a way of fulfilling the UN mandate of meeting the SDG Agenda 2030.
Professor Babatunde Ajayi is a recipient of several national and international awards which include but are not limited to a Merit Award as the Best Innovative Researcher for Local Raw Materials Content, R&D from the Raw Materials Research and Development Council of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology at the techno-expo 2011 in Abuja, Nigeria. His research products were also displayed at the exhibit on Innovative Wood Products during the 68th Session of the UN Economic Commission Europe/FAO at the UN Office Geneva, Switzerland, held in conjunction with the Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST), in October 2010 and to mark the 2011 International Year of the Forest. In 2010, he was also invited by CIFOR to attend a small gathering of eminent Scientists during the XXIII IUFRO World Congress.
He is a contributor to many specialized publications, particularly contributing a chapter (Assessment of inorganic bonded paperboards produced from Kraft and recycled newsprint) in a book titled: Non-conventional Materials and Technologies for Sustainable Management. Trans-Tech publications, Switzerland. Chapter 4. Pp. 322-329, amongst others.
In the area of extracurricular activities, Professor Ajayi has the following to his credit:
• Facilitation of academic internship agreement between FUTA and the University of Sao Paulo, University of Lavras, Third World Academic of Science (CNPq: Brazil funding agent).
• Participation in International Forum Consultation: 2017 high-level political forum on sustainable development (UN DESA).
• Participation in Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) a partner between UNESCO etc.
• Participation in Global Landscape Forum (GLF)
• Attendance of UNFCCC in Doha, Qatar; and Durbar, South Africa.
• Gathering of Eminent Scientists, IUFRO World Congress, Seoul 2010.
Endowment Activities / Donations:
• 1st SAAT Endowment Fund
• Facilitation of School of Management Building by Chief Bode Akindele, Ibadan.
• National Institute of Fresh Fishery Research and others.
References on related activities of Professor Babatunde Ajayi could be accessed from the following links :
https://www.thisdaylive.com/.../nigeria-wasting.../
https://guardian.ng/business.../turning-waste-to-wealth/
https://www.newtelegraphng.com/ajayi-nigeria-is.../
https://www.inclusivebusiness.net/.../call-producing...
https://fwt.futa.edu.ng/profile.php?staffid=883
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tGFiO3UAAAAJ...
https://federalakurenigeria.academia.edu/AjayiBabatunde
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ajayi-Babatunde
https://thenationonlineng.net/how-to-convert-waste-to.../
https://www.brandcrunch.com.ng/.../nigeria-wasting.../
https://solve.mit.edu/dashboard/view_solutions
