The Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) has secured a €117,000 (₦200 million) grant from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme to develop a solar-powered integrated aquaponics system. The project, titled Integrated Aquaponics System for Sustainable Catfish Production and Dual-Crop Cultivation of Leafy Vegetables and Corn (AQUACLEC), will scale the production of catfish, vegetables, and maize while promoting food security through technology.
According to Yabatech spokesman Adekunle Adams, the project will not only boost agricultural yields but also establish a local innovation hub in Lagos to strengthen sustainable agriculture and community-based food resilience. The initiative will be coordinated by Dr. Funmilayo Doherty, Acting Director of Research Support and Grant Management Centre at Yabatech, alongside a team of local and international experts, including partners from the University of Lagos, University of Turku (Finland), and University of Lapland (Finland).
The EU grant is part of a broader effort to encourage sustainable aquaponics solutions in Africa, complementing other EU-backed projects like PrAEctiCe, which promotes climate-controlled farming, and FCI4Africa, focused on energy-efficient aquaponics systems. For Yabatech, this comes after winning a World Bank-supported NYESAF grant to train 200 young Nigerians in digital and creative media skills.
With aquaponics offering 10 times higher crop yields compared to traditional farming, requiring no chemical fertilisers and minimal energy, Yabatech’s breakthrough underscores its dual role as both a centre of academic excellence and a driver of national development. The college says the project is designed to be replicable and scalable across Nigeria and West Africa, leveraging its pool of over 200 PhD-qualified lecturers to connect research, training, and policy for long-term impact.
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