YABATECH unveils Plastogas Hub to tackle plastic waste and generate clean energy

NIGERIA – Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) has unveiled its Plastogas Hub, a plastic-to-gas and upcycling facility aimed at reducing plastic pollution.

The hub will also promote environmental sustainability and creating jobs within the institution and surrounding communities in Lagos.

Launched on campus this week, the YABATECH Plastogas Hub has been positioned by stakeholders as a practical model for community-driven waste management, clean energy production and skills development.

The facility combines plastic waste collection, conversion to cooking gas and the upcycling of residual materials into usable products.

Speaking at the launch, Team Lead of the hub, Dr Lauretta Ofodile, said the initiative was driven by a shared vision to address plastic waste challenges within YABATECH and its neighbouring areas.

“This project is an initiative that has come out of a shared dream for the sustainable management of plastic in Yaba College of Technology and its entire environment,” she said.

Ofodile noted that the hub targets plastic waste reduction, community education and long-term environmental sustainability.

She emphasized the importance of collaboration, revealing that communities including Yaba, Bariga and Somolu are key partners in the project.

According to her, the facility will promote responsible plastic collection, convert waste into usable energy, function as a research and training centre and serve as a scalable model for similar initiatives across Nigeria.

The project was made possible through a grant secured from the French Embassy in Nigeria in 2024. Ofodile disclosed that her team was among five laureates awarded funding of about N100m (approximately US$50,000).

The grant supported the development of a system that enables smart collection, shredding and conversion of plastic waste into gas.

She added that the hub is already producing cooking gas from plastic waste, while by-products from the process are upcycled into paving stones, plates, cups and briquettes.

“Plastogas has been producing gas for a while, and the upcycling aspect ensures that residues are transformed into useful products,” she said.

Beyond waste processing, the Plastogas Hub operates as a learning and training platform. Students, artisans and members of the public can receive hands-on training in plastic upcycling and gas production, supporting skills development and employment opportunities.

Representing the French Embassy, Project Coordinator of the French Embassy Fund, Eno-Obong Sampson, described the hub as a significant milestone in tackling plastic pollution.

She said the facility goes beyond technology, offering a practical response through research, capacity building and public awareness.

The Rector of YABATECH, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, represented by Deputy Rector Lawal Adefemi, said the project aligns with the institution’s “waste-to-wealth” vision.

He added that the hub complements existing waste-sorting policies on campus and rewards community members financially based on the volume of plastic waste delivered.

The launch comes amid growing interest in plastic-to-energy and circular economy solutions across Nigeria, as institutions and communities seek innovative approaches to address mounting plastic waste and energy access challenges.

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