Nigeria’s Waste Oil Could Cut Fuel Imports, Researcher Says
Waste as Energy Solution for Nigeria
Expert Identifies Untapped Renewable Fuel Source
A Nigerian energy researcher has identified waste cooking oil generated by households, restaurants and fast-food outlets as a viable and largely untapped resource capable of supporting Nigeria’s energy transition and reducing dependence on imported fuels.
Dr. Esther Babatunde, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Ilorin, disclosed this during an interview in Lagos, where she shared findings from her research on renewable energy and waste valorisation.
Turning Discarded Oil into Biodiesel
Babatunde explained that waste cooking oil can be converted into high-quality biodiesel through a chemical process known as transesterification, producing fuel suitable for generators, trucks and industrial equipment.
According to her, Nigeria generates over 100,000 tonnes of waste cooking oil annually, particularly in major cities such as Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. Much of this waste, she noted, is improperly disposed of despite its potential economic and environmental value.
“What many people regard as useless waste is actually a valuable resource,” she said, describing waste cooking oil as a “feedstock goldmine” for renewable diesel.
Research Validates Local Feasibility
Babatunde, who is also a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Johannesburg, said laboratory-scale experiments conducted at the University of Ilorin achieved biodiesel yields of up to 97.6 per cent, meeting international ASTM fuel standards.
She emphasised that the process relies on locally sourced materials and avoids the food-versus-fuel debate associated with edible oils such as palm or soybean.
Environmental and Economic Gains
She said biodiesel burns cleaner than petroleum diesel, cutting particulate emissions by about 50 per cent and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 78 per cent over its lifecycle. These benefits, she added, could significantly improve air quality in Nigerian cities heavily dependent on diesel generators.
Babatunde also cited pilot projects, including a small facility in Ogun State that processes 5,000 litres of waste oil daily, reducing diesel imports in the area by roughly 20 per cent.
Policy Gaps and Way Forward
Despite the promise, she identified weak policy enforcement, poor waste collection systems and low public awareness as major obstacles. She urged government to integrate waste cooking oil utilisation into the National Energy Master Plan and support small-scale processors through incentives.
