Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) has broken new ground in agricultural innovation by winning a €117,000 (over ₦200 million) research grant from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme. The project focuses on pioneering food security solutions through renewable energy and integrated farming.
The funded research, titled “Integrated Aquaponics System for Sustainable Catfish Production and Dual Crop Cultivation of Leafy Vegetables and Corn,” will pilot a solar-powered aquaponics model that merges catfish farming with vegetable and maize cultivation.
Leading the initiative is Dr. Funmilayo Doherty, Director of Research Support and Grants Management at YABATECH, in collaboration with the College’s Agric Cooperative Society.
“The pilot scheme will show how renewable energy and integrated farming can reduce costs, boost productivity and strengthen household nutrition. Participants will be the first group to engage with the model, which is designed to be scaled across communities in Nigeria and West Africa,” Doherty explained.
The project will establish a Local Innovation Hub in Lagos to test, adapt, and replicate the aquaponics model, creating pathways for sustainable agriculture and community-based food resilience.
It also enjoys international collaboration, drawing expertise from the University of Lagos, University of Turku, Finland, and the University of Lapland, Finland.
Doherty emphasized that the project reflects YABATECH’s growing commitment to aligning academic research with pressing national and global challenges.
“The College has steadily built a reputation for projects that combine technical education with practical solutions for society. With over 200 PhD-qualified lecturers, YABATECH has the capacity to sustain and expand such projects through rigorous research, training, and policy engagement,” she said.
This achievement comes shortly after YABATECH secured another international grant under the World Bank–supported National Youth Employment Skills Acquisition Framework, which is training 200 young Nigerians in digital and creative media skills.
Doherty said both grants underscore YABATECH’s role as not just a hub of academic excellence but also a driver of national development, combining education, entrepreneurship, and real-world problem-solving.
Other members of the AQUACLEC research team include Dr. Olufunke Oyebamiji, Dr. Olusola Dada, Mrs. Henrietta Badejo, Mr. Abdulwakeel Oluwatobi Atoyebi, Mr. Olufunmi Dada, Dr. Akin Olaleru, Mrs. Adeola Oke, Mr. Aguh Anthony, and Mrs. Rebecca Martin. They are working alongside Dr. Idowu Aneyo of UNILAG, Dr. Moammar Dayoub of the University of Turku, and Dr. Dele Raheem of the University of Lapland.
