Abuja:Nigeria’s abattoir waste could become a source of renewable energy under a new partnership between two agencies seeking better environmental management. The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) and the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) have formalised their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative focuses on anaerobic digestion, a process that breaks down organic materials in the absence of oxygen to produce biogas and digestate, which may be processed for other uses. During the signing ceremony, NBRDA Director-General, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, stated that the agency would provide technical support for the collaboration. He highlighted the conversion of organic residues into useful products as a means to address the environmental concerns associated with abattoir waste disposal.
The waste materials targeted for processing include animal blood, rumen contents, manure, wastewater, and other biodegradable residues generated during slaughtering and meat processing. Beyond energy generation, the approach aims to reduce the accumulation of untreated organic waste around slaughter facilities, improving sanitation and protecting surrounding water resources.
EHCON Registrar, Dr. Yakubu Baba, emphasized that the agreement showcases how public institutions can cooperate to tackle environmental health issues while creating opportunities for productive resource use. A Joint Technical Committee will oversee the implementation process, which includes identifying suitable facilities, capacity building, technology transfer, and assessing environmental and public health outcomes.
The NBRDA plans to start with selected abattoirs, evaluating their daily waste volumes, available space, water supply, and energy needs before installing appropriate digestion systems. This assessment will help determine the necessary plant capacity and whether the generated gas can support nearby facilities or specific operations within the abattoirs.
The agencies also aim to ensure the safe handling and testing of digestate for use as organic fertilizer, meeting treatment and quality standards. However, the initiative’s success will depend on reliable equipment, trained operators, adequate maintenance funding, and safeguards against the unsafe handling of untreated waste.
For communities near abattoirs, successful implementation could lead to improved waste management and reduced pollution, while operators could gain alternative energy sources and potential revenue from well-processed by-products. Prof. Mustapha noted that the partnership provides an opportunity to link biotechnology research with practical environmental services, but acknowledged that measurable benefits would rely on the scale of implementation and continuous monitoring.