Nigeria’s oldest tertiary institution, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), has been approved for conversion into a university by President Bola Tinubu, marking a new chapter for the school as it strengthens its position as a hub of innovation and research. The development comes as YABATECH secures a €117,000 (about N200 million) grant from the European Union to pioneer a solar-powered aquaponics system that combines catfish production with vegetable and maize farming.
The project, titled ‘Integrated Aquaponics System for Sustainable Catfish Production and Dual-Crop Cultivation of Leafy Vegetables and Corn (AQUACLEC)’, is being coordinated by the institution’s Centre for Research Support and Grants Management, with Dr. Funmilayo Doherty serving as lead researcher. Technical expertise is being provided in partnership with the University of Lagos, the University of Turku, and the University of Lapland, underscoring the collaborative nature of the initiative.
According to YABATECH’s spokesperson, the grant will fund the establishment of a local innovation hub in Lagos, where the solar-powered aquaponics system will be tested, refined, and scaled. Beyond food production, the project is designed to build resilience against food insecurity, encourage sustainable agriculture, and create a model that can be replicated across Nigeria and West Africa.
The institution’s leadership noted that the success of the grant is tied to YABATECH’s deliberate efforts to align research with pressing global and national challenges. By bridging the gap between technical education and real-world applications, the institution is equipping young Nigerians to compete in both local and international spaces.
The project also builds on YABATECH’s track record of leveraging partnerships to drive impact. Earlier this year, the institution trained 200 young Nigerians in digital and creative media under the National Youth Employment Skills Acquisition Framework (NYESAF). With over 200 PhD-qualified lecturers across its faculties, YABATECH plans to use its research capacity not only to advance innovation but also to influence policy and provide training for wider adoption.
Analysts believe the dual developments—the EU grant and the federal approval to elevate YABATECH into a university—position the institution as a critical player in Nigeria’s education and development landscape. For MSMEs in agriculture, the aquaponics system offers new possibilities for scaling sustainable agribusiness models that merge fish farming with crop cultivation, powered by renewable energy.
The initiative also reflects a growing recognition that food security challenges in Africa require fresh approaches that combine technology, sustainability, and local community involvement. By creating replicable solutions, YABATECH is not only shaping the future of Nigerian agriculture but also contributing to broader regional strategies for resilience and economic growth.
