Don Urges Nigerians To Embrace Use Of Agric Waste For Construction Materials
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
A Professor of Structural and Material Engineering at the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Samson Olalekan Odeyemi, has called on Nigerians to embrace the use of agricultural waste as an alternative construction material, saying the approach could strengthen infrastructure, create jobs and reduce environmental pollution.
Professor Odeyemi made the call while delivering the 22nd Inaugural Lecture of the university titled, “From Rubble to Resilience: Gathering the Fragments for a New Structural Paradigm.”
The engineering scholar urged Nigerians to stop treating agricultural residues such as rice husks, guinea corn husks and bamboo leaves as worthless waste, stressing that they possess significant industrial value capable of improving the quality and durability of buildings and other infrastructure.
According to him, “We must move away from viewing agricultural residues as refuse to be burned or discarded. They are valuable industrial feedstocks that can improve the durability of our local infrastructure.”
He also encouraged households, businesses and institutions to adopt proper waste separation, particularly for paper waste, explaining that recycled paper products could be processed into mineral additives for high-performance concrete.
Professor Odeyemi further advised farming communities and cooperatives to organise the collection of agricultural by-products instead of burning them, noting that such materials could become reliable sources of income while supplying the construction industry with raw materials.
Addressing government at all levels, the professor called for the inclusion of agro-based pozzolans in Nigeria’s National Building Code to provide engineers and contractors with recognised standards for sustainable construction.
He said government should also invest in indigenous mineral additives to reduce dependence on imported industrial materials and shield the nation’s construction sector from global supply chain disruptions.
Among his recommendations were the establishment of decentralised processing hubs in farming communities, incentives for projects using recycled construction materials and increased funding for research to commercialise locally developed innovations.
Professor Odeyemi also urged KWASU to consolidate its leadership in sustainable engineering by adopting the use of locally developed pozzolan-fibre technology for campus roads, walkways and other infrastructure projects.
He recommended the procurement of an industrial-scale electric furnace to support mass production of sustainable construction materials, improved laboratory facilities for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the establishment of a Centre for Sustainable Construction Materials to certify locally developed products for industry use.
Speaking on the vision behind his research, the professor said Nigeria possesses abundant local resources capable of transforming the nation’s construction industry if properly harnessed.
“Our laboratory innovations should not remain on the shelves. They should be scaled into practical solutions that position Nigeria as a leader in sustainable infrastructure development across Africa,” he said.
During the lecture, Professor Odeyemi expressed gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor of KWASU, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, for providing what he described as an enabling environment for academic excellence and innovation.
He also acknowledged the support of members of the university management, colleagues, mentors, students, family members and his wife, Dr. Omolola Titilayo Odeyemi, whom he described as “the architect of the peace in our home and the silent strength behind every academic milestone I have achieved.”
The professor dedicated the inaugural lecture to the memory of his late parents, Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Felicia Odeyemi, saying they laid the foundation for his academic journey and lifelong pursuit of excellence.
