Dr. Moses Fajobi, a mechanical engineer and researcher, has emphasized that a sufficient energy supply is still essential to sustainable development, and biogas production can provide a workable answer to Nigeria’s ongoing energy problems.
Fajobi stated in a statement that the present energy mix cannot sustain significant expansion and that the nation must embrace biogas technology to spur growth across industries.
“Energy remains a critical factor for economic growth, and Nigeria’s current energy mix is insufficient to propel development, as many parts of the nation still lack access to reliable power,” Fajobi said.
He pointed out that Nigeria’s excessive reliance on fossil fuels is unsustainable because of their depletion and related hazards.
“The use of fossil fuels is associated with numerous challenges, including climate-related concerns, environmental pollution, difficulties in energy exploration, ecological disruption and adverse health effects,” Fajobi stated.
He added that Nigeria has a wealth of underutilized biomass resources and that biogas, which is made from organic waste, offers a more sustainable and clean option.
“Biogas is derived from biomass such as cow dung, food waste, agricultural residues and municipal solid waste, which are abundant in Nigeria but largely underutilised,” Fajobi said.
The results of his doctoral work, which looked at the biogas potential of cow dung, mango pulp, and Chromolaena odorata leaves, served as the basis for the researcher’s stance.
He pointed out that towns frequently face environmental problems as a result of improper disposal of these products.
Fajobi described the process as taking place in an oxygen-free atmosphere and detailed how he used anaerobic digestion technology to turn biomass into energy.
“Anaerobic digestion converts biomass into biogas through four stages: hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis and methanogenesis,” Fajobi remarked.
He revealed that while higher yields were observed when the materials were mixed, the investigation found that each material produced quantifiable amounts of biogas when used alone.
Over the course of 40 days, the best-performing mix—which included 50% cow dung, 25% mango pulp, and 25% Chromolaena odorata—produced the largest volume of 4,750 m³/kg, according to Fajobi, while another mixture generated noticeably less.
According to Fajobi, broad use of biogas technology might change Nigeria’s energy environment by increasing safety and efficiency.
“Widespread adoption of this technology could significantly transform Nigeria’s energy landscape by improving efficiency and safety,” Fajobi added.
However, pointing out that biogas is extremely flammable, he urged more awareness and rigorous adherence to safety regulations.
Additionally, Fajobi called on governments and non-governmental organizations to provide policy support and subsidies to encourage the implementation of this strategy.
“Subsidies are required to reduce the cost of acquiring biogas systems and support large-scale deployment,” Fajobi noted.
He continued by saying that his research combined artificial intelligence and machine learning to monitor important manufacturing metrics in real time, increasing productivity and cutting expenses.
According to Fajobi, using biogas technology would raise living standards, lessen financial losses associated with inadequate energy supplies, and aid in the fight against poverty, particularly in rural areas.
“The adoption of biogas technology could improve the quality of life for Nigerians by reducing the economic losses associated with inadequate energy supply while boosting economic growth and promoting sustainable development,” he concluded.
