A team of researchers from the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) has won a Grant under the aegis of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer/Information Exchange between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Czech Republic for the development of a Bioethanol Plant
The team led by Prof. Olayinka O. Awopetu and other academics including; Prof. Olurotimi A. Dahunsi, Dr. Oluwole T. Ojo, Dr. Rilwan K. Apalowo and Mr Saheed O. Lawal will work with Nigerian partners from the industries in person of Engr Tunde Alabi of Enpro Consultants and Mr Gboyega Faloye of Fembro Nigeria limited to build the plant in FUTA.
The team responded to a Call for Proposals for Joint R&D Projects between the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA CR) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) under the Delta-2 Programme and its proposal was deemed viable by the National and International group of adjudicators.
According to the project coordinators, "The joint R&D projects will focus on specific outcomes in the field of applied research that will lead to new findings, innovative solutions, skills and capacity development for the production of new, high-tech and significantly improved products, processes and services. Beneficiaries are expected to develop new products and R&D results that would be applied to solve current challenges and be commercialised by the private sector companies."
The award ceremony and agreement signing ceremony held at the Technology Orientation Centre, National Agency of Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) headquarters at Idu Industrial Area, Abuja on 18th December, 2023.
The Vice Chancellor Professor Adenike Oladiji who signed on behalf of FUTA assured Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, the Honourable Minister for innovation, Science and Technology and Alhaji Mohammed Dahiru, the Chairman, Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer – Nigeria and Czech Republic Bilateral Relations were also present at the ceremony that the University Researchers will deliver to specification and use the project to enhance the development of technology in the country.
The multimillion-naira project which is expected to lead to construction and operation of a bioethanol plant in FUTA commences in January 2024 and it is expected to be delivered by 2026
