NBRDA and EHCON Partner to Deploy Biogas Technology in Nigerian Abattoirs and Promote Better Waste Management

The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) and the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to convert abattoir waste into biogas and promote safer waste management practices across Nigeria.

The agreements provide for the application of biotechnology to convert animal blood, rumen content, manure, wastewater and other organic waste into biogas, organic fertiliser and other useful by-products through anaerobic digestion.

Speaking at the signing ceremony on Thursday in Abuja, the Director General of NBRDA, Prof Abdullahi Mustapha, assured EHCON of the Agency’s technical support, noting that the initiative would help address environmental and public health concerns associated with abattoir waste.

He said converting organic waste into biogas would provide an alternative source of energy while reducing indiscriminate waste disposal and pollution around abattoirs.

The Registrar of EHCON, Dr Yakubu

Baba, described the partnership as an example of inter-agency cooperation that could turn waste management challenges into opportunities for energy production and wealth creation. He also pledged EHCON’s commitment to implementing the agreements.

Under the agreements, a Joint Technical Committee will coordinate implementation, including the selection of facilities, training of environmental health officers and operators, technology transfer and monitoring of environmental and public health benefits.

The collaboration is expected to support cleaner abattoir environments, reduce pollution and disease risks, improve access to renewable energy and create opportunities for local production and maintenance of biogas equipment.