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European Union

Nigeria's Agriculture Set for Boost with EU Grant for Solar-Powered Aquaponics System

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) has secured a £117,000 (approximately N200 million) grant from the European Union (EU) to develop a solar-powered integrated aquaponics system. This cutting-edge farming method combines fish farming with soilless plant farming, aiming to advance food security and sustainable agriculture in Nigeria. The project, led by Dr. Funmilayo Doherty, will focus on catfish production alongside vegetable and maize farming, leveraging technical expertise from international partners and Yabatech's pool of over 200 PhD-qualified lecturers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The European Union (EU) has awarded a £117,000 (approximately N200 million) grant to Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) for the development of a solar-powered integrated aquaponics system.
  • The project, titled Integrated Aquaponics System for Sustainable Catfish Production and Dual-Crop Cultivation of Leafy Vegetables and Corn (AQUACLEC), will focus on catfish production alongside vegetable and maize farming.
  • Dr. Funmilayo Doherty, Director of the Centre for Research Support and Grants Management at Yabatech, is leading the initiative with technical expertise from the University of Lagos, University of Turku, and University of Lapland.
  • The project aims to advance food security through the development of a solar-powered aquaponics system and promote sustainable agriculture and community-based food resilience.
  • The grant will enable the establishment of a local innovation hub in Lagos, testing and replication of the system, and promotion of sustainable agriculture and community-based food resilience.
  • Yabatech has recorded another major breakthrough in research and innovation after securing a grant of 17,000 euros, equivalent to over N200,000,000, from the European Union's Horizon Europe programme.
  • The project is designed to be replicable, scalable across Nigeria and West Africa, leveraging Yabatech's pool of over 200 PhD-qualified lecturers for research, training, and policy engagement.
  • The EU grant and National Youth Employment Skills Acquisition Framework (NYESAF) programme highlight Yabatech's dual role as a centre of academic excellence and driver of national development, meeting technical education and real-world needs.

Statistics:

  • £117,000 (approximately N200 million) - amount granted by the EU to Yabatech for the development of a solar-powered integrated aquaponics system.
  • 17,000 euros - equivalent to over N200,000,000, the grant secured by Yabatech from the European Union's Horizon Europe programme.
  • 200 - number of PhD-qualified lecturers at Yabatech who will be involved in research, training, and policy engagement for the project.
  • 200 - number of young Nigerians trained in digital and creative media skills under the National Youth Employment Skills Acquisition Framework (NYESAF) programme.

Sources:

  • [Yabatech's spokesman, Mr. Adekunle Adams]

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