The Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State, has announced plans to introduce a degree programme in waste management and technology starting in the 2025/2026 academic session.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, made this disclosure on Monday shortly after launching the Zero Waste Campus Project, sponsored by the Community Development Advocacy Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, at the institution.
The vice-chancellor emphasised that the university serves as a foundation for seeking solutions to various problems, especially environmental issues.
He said, “The university, through the Centre for Waste Management, thought it necessary to collaborate with our partners to initiate this project, to remove waste from the university, and convert waste to wealth for the betterment of society.
“We are trying to contribute from our knowledge for the betterment of the university campus, where we have over 15,000 students, and extend it to the society.”
Rim-Rukeh also mentioned that the university identified a gap in the knowledge of sustainability, particularly in waste management.
“Before the appeal and request, I spoke with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Admin) that we are missing a knowledge gap in this country in terms of sustainability,” he noted.
He added, “We intend to introduce waste management and technology at a lower level, such as a postgraduate diploma. The university management is in total support and will commence the programme in the 2025/2026 academic session, as we teach the technology of waste management and the principles.”
Earlier, the Executive Director of CODAF, Mr. Richard Benin, called on tertiary institutions to create ecosystems where responsible consumption, waste reduction, and recycling are prioritised.
He said the NGO had started a journey that could change the world and lead to sustainability, particularly by addressing the pressing challenges of plastic pollution and single-use plastics.
“It may interest you to know that the Federal University of Petroleum Resources is the first institution in Nigeria to kick-start this project, and it is imperative to put in our best to make this institution the first zero-waste varsity in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
“It is our duty as a community of thinkers and researchers to set an example by demonstrating values and principles of sustainability and responsibility. The zero waste campus project is a comprehensive strategy to promote a sustainable culture on our campuses, not only in reducing plastic waste.
“Our goal is to establish an ecosystem where responsible consumption, waste reduction, and recycling/composting are given top priority.”
Benin further noted that if a postgraduate programme on zero waste was approved, the institution would have written its name in the sands of time as the first to offer such a programme.
Source: The PUNCH
