By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), 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, on Monday, made this disclosure shortly after launching the Zero Waste Campus Project, sponsored by the Community Development Advocacy Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, at the institution.
Akpofure emphasised that the university serves as a foundation for seeking solutions to various problems, especially environmental issues.
He said FUPRE, through the Centre for Waste Management, thought it necessary to collaborate with partners to initiate this project, to remove waste from the university, and convert waste to wealth for the betterment of society.
He also mentioned that the university identified a gap in the knowledge of sustainability, particularly in waste management.
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“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.”
“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 said, adding that the university intends 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,” he noted.
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.
His words: “lt 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.
He also stated that the project is aimed towards encouraging higher institutions to take positive actions towards ending the scourge of plastic pollution in the environment.
Clean Energy Campaigner for GAIA Africa, Weyinmi Okotie, while introducing the Zero Waste ideology at the launch, stated that Zero Waste promotes a circular economy that encourages a society to produce waste that can be reused.
He added that Zero waste goals also looks at responsible production and consumption of waste that goes beyond educating end users on waste management, into advocating for producers to be responsible for the waste they generate.
Weyinmi further stressed that Zero Waste encourages environmental sustainability. He discouraged incineration as a means of disposing waste, as this further pollutes the environment and contributes to the climate crisis.
On her part, CODAF Project Manager on Environment, Melody Enyinnaya stated that single-use plastic has become a major environmental issue in Nigeria and Africa, which has led to environmental damages, due to the lack of proper waste management systems.
Also, Director of the Center for Waste Management and Sustainable Resources of FUPRE, Dr. Akinyemi Ogunkeyede said that the group will develop and implement projects that will look towards the drastic reduction of plastic within the institution, and further expose the environmental and economic possibilities in Zero Waste.
The program featured the presentation of Zero Waste Guidelines and Plastic-Free Campus Blueprint documents by the CODAF team to the Vice Chancellor and administration of the school, to further guide the Zero Waste initiative in the university.
This was followed by the exhibition of items made from waste materials by the students of the University to showcase the institution’s readiness for the Zero Waste models.
