Projects Executed

Research and Innovation

Production of Climate Resilience “Cropped Biofertilizer” Pellets from Waste Streams: A Sustainable Soil Remediation, Conditioning and Plant Fertilization Project 2024

Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Nigeria Sponsor

Prof. Joseph P. Essien Principal Investigator(s)

₦35,662,985.78 Budget

12 months Duration

Project Highlight

This research endeavor, under the banner of “Production of Climate Resilience ‘Cropped Biofertilizer’ Pellets from Waste Streams”, constitutes a multifaceted response to the intricate agricultural and environmental predicaments confronting Nigeria. Driven by the pressing need to meet the burgeoning food demands of a surging population amidst constraints in chemical fertilizer accessibility, this study embarks on the development of indigenously sourced biofertilizers derived from waste streams. These biofertilizers offer the promise of significantly augmenting crop productivity while concurrently addressing the acute exigencies of waste management. The research scrutinizes the efficacy, longevity, and ecological stability of “Cropped Biofertilizer” pellets, elevating them as a scientifically substantiated and climate-resilient substitute to conventional chemical fertilization methodologies. In the milieu of global climate change concerns, food security imperatives, and the promotion of sustainable agrarian practices, this initiative assumes paramount importance.

Foremost among the expected outcomes of this comprehensive research initiative is the substantiation of “Cropped Biofertilizer” pellets as a sustainable, locally sourced, and scientifically validated alternative to conventional chemical fertilizers. The pelleted biofertilizer is expected to exhibit notable efficacy, ensuring enhanced crop productivity while concurrently reducing environmental risks associated with chemical fertilization. This critical outcome not only addresses Nigeria’s pressing need for sustainable agricultural practices but also contributes significantly to global efforts in mitigating climate change and fostering food security through environmentally responsible means.
Development and Deployment of an Online National Scientific and Technical Equipment Database for Research Excellence in Nigeria 2022

labequipment.ng Website

Schlumberger Foundation through NWISTEM Sponsor

Prof. Edu Inam Principal Investigator(s)

$7,685 Budget

6 months Duration

Project Highlight

Nigeria is home to over 500 tertiary institutions comprising of public and private universities, polytechnic, research, and allied institutions in possession of numerous equipment ranging from basic scientific to sophisticated equipment capable of yielding ground-breaking results when used. However, the lack of easily accessible information on equipment domiciled in these institutions has led to poor research and denied the country huge benefits from investments in equipment in these institutions. In addition, researchers and postgraduate students continue to spend huge amount of money sending samples and specimens abroad for analysis, whereas such analysis could have been easily done in-country with appropriate information on location of required equipment. This challenge has led to frustration among researchers, low collaboration among researchers and scientists in tertiary institutions and high cost of research projects among other issues in Nigeria. In addressing this significant challenge, we are developing and deploying a facilitated, intelligent, robust, comprehensive, and accessible National Scientific and Technical Equipment Database for the Science, Engineering and Technology research community use in to easily search, locate, and reserve equipment needed for their ground-breaking research and training in Nigeria. We hope to scale up the solution to study and produce Big Data Analytics, useful for precise equipment management. Artificial Intelligence algorithms shall be introduced for accurate decision support services as designed in the architecture.
Development and Deployment of a customized electronic testing system for selection of best secondary school Teachers in Akwa Ibom State 2021

award.inoyotorofoundation.org Website

Inoyo Toro Foundation Sponsor

Prof. Edu Inam Principal Investigator(s)

₦2,000,000 Budget

12 months Duration

Project Highlight

Inoyo Toro Foundation is one of the few credible education foundations in Nigeria established in 2007. The Foundation recognises and rewards distinctive and hardworking teachers and principals of public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State through an Annual Award for Teaching Excellence. The selection procedure was normally done manually but in the aftermath of the COVID 19 pandemic the foundation mandated the centre to develop a customized digital solution suitable for the foundation’s operations.
Scoping Study for a Waste Management Facility in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria 2019

Willend Associates Limited Sponsor

Prof. Edu Inam Principal Investigator(s)

₦1,600,000 Budget

12 months Duration

Project Highlight

Oil and gas are one of the most important global assets with great economic importance to many countries and has been the primary source of forex for Nigeria in the past 50 years. However, the processes and activities of oil and gas from most of companies in the world have many negative implications on the environment. Exploration and development activities generate wastes that include atmospheric emissions, wastes like drill cuttings, drilling fluids, deck drainages, well treatment fluids, sanitary and domestic wastes and accidental oil spills. Poorly managed waste has an enormous impact on health, local and global environments, and economy. Improperly managed waste generally results in down -stream costs higher than what it would have cost to manage the waste properly. Therefore, there is need to provide an adequate waste management system to handle streams of wastes from industrial activities, especially if it has association with oil and gas operations. This scoping inventory project is aimed at understanding the economic viability of establishing a waste treatment and disposal facility in Akwa Ibom with specific focus on waste produced by the oil, gas and manufacturing companies operating in Eket senatorial district of Akwa Ibom State.
Performance Evaluation of Indigenous Clay Nanocomposites for the Treatment of Produced Water from Oil and Gas Operations in Nigeria 2019

Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Nigeria Sponsor

Dr. Eno A. Moses Principal Investigator(s)

Dr. Shaibu Solomon and Prof. Edu Inam Co-Investigator(s)

₦1,940,000 Budget

12 months Duration

Project Highlight

Nigeria is gifted with abundant quantity of clay minerals and more than 80 clay deposits have been reported in parts of the country with Akwa Ibom State among the most endowed. Incidentally, for more than half a century, the economy of Nigeria has been majorly supported by proceeds of petroleum exploration and production but not without its glaring pollution footprints. Consequences of these operations have impacted different environmental matrices including generation of produced water. The produced water (largest waste stream in the oils and gas industry) generated during these activities is oftentimes discharged without treatment and this status quo necessitated the search for treatment options. Current treatment technologies are challenging in terms of cost, efficiency and durability and as such, development of a local content alternative for the treatment of produced water becomes germane. The aim of this research is the utilization of this abundant mineral resource (clay) via impregnation with silver nanoparticle for the treatment of produced water.
Climate Variability in Relation to Floodplain Erosion and Water Quality Characteristics of the Ikpa River Basin 2018

Ministry of Science and Technology in South Korea through the International Environmental Research Institute (IERI) of Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) Sponsor

Prof. Edu Inam Principal Investigator(s)

Dr Robert Ekpeyoung and Dr. Mosses Ekpeyoung Co-Investigator(s)

$8,000 Budget

12 months Duration

Project Highlight

The effects of climate change are expected to be more pronounced in highly vulnerable regions such as Africa, the knowledge gaps that exist further portends the inability of the region to proffer suitable adaption and/or mitigation measures. The Ikpa River Basin is one of the major rivers in the urban areas of Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The river serves as a major source of water for irrigation and fishing purposes for the benefit of the city. Several studies have been carried out to assess the water quality status of this important surface water resource. These studies largely ignored factors such as temperature, rainfall and erosion events in relation to measured qualitative parameters as well as temporal trends. Such climate-dependent factors have been found to have varying degree on water quality status of surface water bodies. The objective of the present study is to carry out correlation studies using advanced statistical tools to ascertain temporal changes and influence of climate variability on the water quality status of the Ikpa River Basin.
Quantification and Risk Assessment of Residual Pesticides in Soils from Commercial Farms in Akwa Ibom State 2017

Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Nigeria & Lancaster University, United Kingdom Sponsor

Prof. Edu Inam Principal Investigator(s)

₦4,000,000 Budget

24 months Duration

Lancaster Environment Centre, United Kingdom Other Partner(s)

Project Highlight

Currently in Nigeria, there is no institutionalized monitoring of commercial farms to ascertain the levels of residual pesticides in soils as there is no farm that does not use pesticides to boost production. Information on pesticides residue in commercial farms will reveal whether the pesticides have been correctly applied, whether there is any risk of uptake by plants that may eventually end up in the food chain and the pollution status of the soils. This research will provide scientific data as to levels of pesticides in commercial farmlands to safeguard public health.
Production of Nutrient Rich and Bacterized Bio-fertilizer/Soil Conditioner for Enhanced Remediation of Crude Oil Contaminated Soils for Higher Productivity 2017

Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Nigeria Sponsor

Prof. Joseph Essien Principal Investigator(s)

₦2,000,000 Budget

12 months Duration

Project Highlight

In Nigeria today crude oil production has been a major threat to the environment and well-being of inhabitants of oil exploration zones. Oil exploration and pipeline sabotage has led to increased amounts of crude oil spills in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Various remediation methods have been developed including bioremediation. Despite the advantages of bioremediation, its efficiency is limited majorly by limited bioavailability of hydrocarbons to microorganisms. To solve this problem, and improve the fertility of hydrocarbon impacted soils, the intent of the present work is to develop a nutrient rich organic amendment from industrial and agro-wastes for remediation and clean-up of crude oil impacted soils for improved crop productivity in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
Chemical speciation, Bioavailability and Health Risk of Some Trace Metals in Sediment, Callinectes amnicola and Tympanotomus fuscatus from New Calabar River, Rivers State 2017

Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Nigeria Sponsor

Prof. Essien Udosen Principal Investigator(s)

₦2,000,000 Budget

12 months Duration

Project Highlight

The major objective of the study is to determine the levels of chemical species and bioavailability of some trace metals in sediment, blue crab (Callinectes amnicola) and periwinkle (Tympanotomus fuscatus) from New Calabar River, assess their potential health risk to human life and predict future pollution state of the study area.
Quantification and health risk assessment of toxic metals in vegetables cultivated in waste dump soils within Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria 2017

Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Nigeria Sponsor

Dr. Godwin Ebong Principal Investigator(s)

₦2,000,000 Budget

12 months Duration

Project Highlight

The intensive oil exploration and exploitation activities in Akwa Ibom State have resulted in the localization of industries and migration of people from other areas both within and outside Nigeria to the region. Accordingly, there has been a rapid increase in the volume of wastes generated in the area; unfortunately these are mostly disposed at open dumpsites. The health hazard associated with the consumption of contaminated vegetables grown in dumpsite soils is yet to be assessed. The goal of this research is o determin the concentration of toxic metals in Talinum triangulare and Telfairia occidentalis grown in waste dumpsite soils within Akwa Ibom state and identifies the health risks associated with their consumption.
Promotion of Underutilised Crops for Household Food Security in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria: A Case Study of Cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) 2017

Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Nigeria Sponsor

Prof. Valerie A. Solomon Principal Investigator(s)

₦1,846,635 Budget

12 months Duration

Project Highlight

The major objective of the project was to promote the use of underutilised food crops, especially cocoyam, for household food security by 15% in Akwa Ibom State by 2018. Underutilized crops are majorly domesticated plant species that have lost their importance as major food staple over time mainly due to lack of information on their nutritional and economic importance. This research has contributed in the area of knowledge by bringing to the fore, the nutritional and economic importance of cocoyam in Akwa Ibom State and its contribution to household food security in the state; and the fact that it is a healthier substitute for cassava based fufu meals. Women, who are known to be the primary producers of food for their households, were trained on improved cultivation of cocoyam and efficient processing techniques of same; they were also educated on the nutritional value of cocoyam and that cocoyam is a very good substitute for cassava, the major staple in the state. A total of 200 hundred women representing 200 households in the study area were so trained.
Biosynthesis of Metal-Nanoparticles Using Leaf Extracts of Uvaria Chamae and Musa Paradisiaca Peels and their Potential Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Mosquito Larvicidal Activities 2016

Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Nigeria Sponsor

Dr. Atim S. Johnson Principal Investigator(s)

₦2,000,000 Budget

12 months Duration

Project Highlight

Mosquitoes are important vectors of human diseases, especially in the tropics as they kill millions of people every year. In Nigeria, mosquito-borne diseases constitute a major health problem. Control of mosquito populations is a sure option to reduce the incidence of vector-borne diseases like malaria, filariasis, and dengue in many tropical countries. In order to achieve this, synthetic insecticides are used. These have their limitations, such as environmental pollution and physiological resistance to vectors. These limitations result in the search for environmentally safe, degradable, and target-specific insecticides. Furthermore, diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms have constituted a nuisance for several decades. Certain bacteria are resistant to antibiotics and some have developed resistance and thus require bio-origin control. Biological control achieved through the application of natural products can be long-lasting, inexpensive, and harmless to living organisms and the ecosystem. Nanoparticles that are less likely to cause ecological damage have been identified as a potential replacement for synthetic chemical insecticides and antibiotics, hence the need to use green-synthesized nanoparticles for the control of disease vectors and microorganisms. Green synthesis of metal nanoparticles is an innovative and environmentally friendly approach for nanotechnology development. The green synthesis process produces nanoparticles that are low-cost, non-hazardous, and environmentally benign. This biosynthesis technique uses organic materials such as flower, leaf, root, and peel extracts, as well as microorganisms such as bacteria, fungal species, and algae. The use of organic substances ultimately reduces the requirement of any toxic compounds for nanoparticle synthesis. The goal of this project is to use an environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach to synthesize metal (iron silver, and platinum) nanoparticles and determine the efficacy of the metal nanoparticles as mosquito larvicidal agents, antimicrobial and antioxidant agents, and eventually to formulate potent insecticides that will help to reduce mosquito populations as well as bactericides that could act as disinfectants, antiseptics or antibiotics.
Utilization of waste streams for the development of novel products for agricultural and industrial applications 2015

Ministry of Science and Technology in South Korea through the Institute of Science and Technology for Sustainability (UNU & GIST Joint Programme) Sponsor

Prof. Edu Inam & Prof. Joseph Essien Principal Investigator(s)

$17,000 Budget

24 months Duration

FCT Water Company, Abuja; Lancaster Environment Centre, United Kingdom Other Partner(s)

Project Highlight

Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja is one of the fastest growing cities in the sub-Saharan Africa with increasing population and infrastructural development. Like in many other megacities in the world, there is increasing demand for portable water, to address this water challenge, the Federal Government of Nigeria inaugurated the 3rd and 4th phases of the Bwari Lower Usuma Dam Water Treatment Plants in addition to already existing phases 1 and 2 plants. The combined capacity of the four plants produces 30,000 cubic meter of portable water per hour. At this capacity another environmental challenge was created, the production of several tonnes of sludge waste from the treatment plants. Currently, the sludge is dumped as open waste in the site awaiting utilization. The objective of the current research is to utilise the sludge waste from Abuja megacity water treatment plants for production of various novel products for agricultural and/or industrial application.
Monitoring and health risk assessment of emerging organic contaminants in water resources in Niger Delta Region, Nigeria 2014

Ministry of Science and Technology in South Korea through the Institute of Science and Technology for Sustainability (UNU & GIST Joint Programme) Sponsor

Prof. Edu Inam Principal Investigator(s)

$10,000 Budget

Project Highlight

The Niger Delta of Nigeria covers an estimated area of between 19,100 km² and 30,000 km² based on hydrological, ecological as well as political boundaries. The Niger Delta Wetlands which is the petroleum belt of Nigeria is a water-rich region with plenty of water resources but scarce drinking water supplies. The region has remarkable source of renewable supply of freshwater, very long marine coastline with complex ecosystems that connect inland brackish (estuarine), euryhaline, freshwater, humic-freshwater systems to near-shore marine waters. However, these water sources are affected by deleterious effects of human activities. This research project should determine if any measures (policy, education and awareness or technological intervention) must be taken to abate the exposure of the population, aquatic species and protect our natural water environment. The contaminant of interest includes poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs), and persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

Capacity Building

University-Industry Forum featuring ICT January 13, 2022

ICEESR, UNIUYO Sponsor

50 Participants

₦300,000 Budget
Solar Energy in a Covid-19 Economy October 15, 2020

ICEESR, UNIUYO Sponsor

30 Participants

₦200,000 Budget
University-Industry Forum featuring the Fertilizer Company in Akwa Ibom State February 11, 2020

Greenwell technology Limited Sponsor

60 Participants

₦300,000 Budget
Waste Management and Land Contamination June 13 and 16, 2016

Gwangu Institute of science and technology South Korea Sponsor

40 Participants

$5,000 Budget
Utilization Of Waste Streams For The Development Of Novel Products for Agricultural And Industrial Applications April 12, 2016

ICEESR, UNIUYO Sponsor

40 Participants

₦200,000 Budget
Developing a Water Quality Reference Laboratory November 2015

American Chemical Society Sponsor

5 Participants

$25,000 Budget
Water Security for Sustained Transformation June 16-17, 2015

Gwangu Institute of Science and Technology South Korea Sponsor

30 Participants

$5,000 Budget
Future Proofing Agricultural Production against Environmental Change January 28-30, 2015

British Council Sponsor

40 Participants

£2,000 Budget
Advanced Analytical Protocols and Laboratory Safety April 23, 2014

ICEESR, UNIUYO Sponsor

50 Participants

₦400,000 Budget
In Search of New Materials for Wastewater Treatment May 22, 2014

ICEESR, UNIUYO Sponsor

70 Participants

₦500,000 Budget
Science and Technical Training for Water Quality Monitoring and Management of Sustainable Water Resources 2013 - 2015

United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation and United Nations Development Programme (UN-OSSC,UNDP) Sponsor

25 Participants

$144,000 Budget

Projects Executed

Research and Innovation

Production of Climate Resilience “Cropped Biofertilizer” Pellets from Waste Streams: A Sustainable Soil Remediation, Conditioning and Plant Fertilization Project 2024

Development and Deployment of an Online National Scientific and Technical Equipment Database for Research Excellence in Nigeria 2022

Development and Deployment of a customized electronic testing system for selection of best secondary school Teachers in Akwa Ibom State 2021

Scoping Study for a Waste Management Facility in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria 2019

Performance Evaluation of Indigenous Clay Nanocomposites for the Treatment of Produced Water from Oil and Gas Operations in Nigeria 2019

Climate Variability in Relation to Floodplain Erosion and Water Quality Characteristics of the Ikpa River Basin 2018

Quantification and Risk Assessment of Residual Pesticides in Soils from Commercial Farms in Akwa Ibom State 2017

Production of Nutrient Rich and Bacterized Bio-fertilizer/Soil Conditioner for Enhanced Remediation of Crude Oil Contaminated Soils for Higher Productivity 2017

Chemical speciation, Bioavailability and Health Risk of Some Trace Metals in Sediment, Callinectes amnicola and Tympanotomus fuscatus from New Calabar River, Rivers State 2017

Quantification and health risk assessment of toxic metals in vegetables cultivated in waste dump soils within Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria 2017

Promotion of Underutilised Crops for Household Food Security in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria: A Case Study of Cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) 2017

Biosynthesis of Metal-Nanoparticles Using Leaf Extracts of Uvaria Chamae and Musa Paradisiaca Peels and their Potential Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Mosquito Larvicidal Activities 2016

Utilization of waste streams for the development of novel products for agricultural and industrial applications 2015

Monitoring and health risk assessment of emerging organic contaminants in water resources in Niger Delta Region, Nigeria 2014

Capacity Building

University-Industry Forum featuring ICT January 13, 2022

Solar Energy in a Covid-19 Economy October 15, 2020

University-Industry Forum featuring the Fertilizer Company in Akwa Ibom State February 11, 2020

Waste Management and Land Contamination June 13 and 16, 2016

Utilization Of Waste Streams For The Development Of Novel Products for Agricultural And Industrial Applications April 12, 2016

Developing a Water Quality Reference Laboratory November 2015

Water Security for Sustained Transformation June 16-17, 2015

Future Proofing Agricultural Production against Environmental Change January 28-30, 2015

Advanced Analytical Protocols and Laboratory Safety April 23, 2014

In Search of New Materials for Wastewater Treatment May 22, 2014

Science and Technical Training for Water Quality Monitoring and Management of Sustainable Water Resources 2013 - 2015