A don, Dr Esther Babatunde, says waste cooking oil generated by restaurants and households across Nigeria can be converted into high-quality biodiesel capable of powering generators, trucks and industrial equipment.
Babatunde, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Ilorin, disclosed this in an interview with reporters on Tuesday in Lagos.
Speaking on her research into renewable energy and waste valorisation, she said biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil could significantly reduce energy costs, environmental pollution and Nigeria’s dependence on fuel imports.
Waste valorisation refers to the process of converting waste materials into useful products such as chemicals and fuels, thereby transforming discarded materials into valuable resources or energy sources.
Babatunde, who is also a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, noted that Nigeria’s hospitality sector generates large volumes of waste cooking oil annually, much of which is improperly disposed of despite its potential as a renewable fuel feedstock.
“What many people regard as useless waste is actually a valuable resource.
“Used cooking oil can be converted into biodiesel that can power generators, trucks and industrial equipment, while also reducing environmental pollution.
“Nigeria produces over 100,000 tonnes of waste cooking oil every year from hotels, bukas and fast-food outlets, especially in urban centres like Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt.
“This is not sludge; it is a feedstock goldmine for renewable diesel.
“At a time when Nigeria exports crude oil but still relies heavily on imported refined fuels due to weak refining capacity, biodiesel from waste oil offers a local, sustainable and affordable alternative,” she said.
The researcher explained that biodiesel is produced from waste cooking oil through a chemical process known as transesterification, which involves reacting the oil with methanol in the presence of a catalyst.
“In our laboratory at the University of Ilorin, we replicated industrial-scale experiments using waste oil collected from campus cafeterias.
“Under optimal conditions of 60 degrees Celsius, a 12:1 methanol-to-oil ratio and just three per cent catalyst loading, we achieved a biodiesel yield of 97.6 per cent that met ASTM standards.
“This is not rocket science. It is chemical engineering adapted to Nigerian realities, using locally sourced materials, including catalysts derived from waste and natural resources.
“Unlike biodiesel produced from edible oils such as palm or soybean, waste cooking oil avoids the food-versus-fuel debate and significantly lowers production costs,” she said.
On environmental benefits, Babatunde said biodiesel burns cleaner than petroleum diesel and could significantly improve air quality in Nigerian cities.
According to her, biodiesel reduces particulate matter emissions by about 50 per cent and cuts greenhouse gas emissions by up to 78 per cent over its lifecycle.
“This could be transformative for cities choked by fumes from generators, diesel buses and industrial machinery,” she said.
She explained that repeated frying increases the acid value of cooking oil, but with proper pre-treatment, degraded oil becomes suitable for biodiesel production.
“Diverting waste cooking oil from drains and landfills also prevents water pollution and methane emissions, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 on clean and affordable energy,” Babatunde added.
She disclosed that pilot biodiesel projects were already yielding positive results in parts of the country.
“A small plant in Ogun State processes about 5,000 liters of waste oil daily.
“It now powers local vehicle fleets and has reduced diesel imports in that area by roughly 20 per cent,” she said.
According to her, biodiesel from waste cooking oil can be produced at about 52 cents per liter, nearly half the cost of imported diesel.
“This makes it a lifeline for small-scale farmers, transporters and off-grid communities.
“With cooperatives collecting waste oil from street vendors in places like Kano and Enugu, local fuel production can drive economic growth and improve energy security.
“Jobs will be created across the value chain — from collectors and technicians to processors and marketers — while communities gain access to affordable, locally produced fuel,” she said.
However, Babatunde identified weak policy implementation, poor waste collection systems and low public awareness as major challenges.
“Nigeria’s 2007 Biofuel Policy targeted a 10 per cent blending rate by 2015, but inconsistent enforcement and inadequate infrastructure have stalled progress.
“Many restaurateurs still see waste cooking oil as worthless and dump it indiscriminately. With the right incentives, such as tax breaks and subsidized small-scale processors, this attitude can change,” she said.
She urged the government to integrate waste cooking oil utilization into the National Energy Master Plan and called on universities to lead training and extension programmes.
“These challenges are not barriers; they are opportunities. With research support, policy backing and community engagement, biodiesel from waste oil can become a key component of Nigeria’s alternative energy mix,” Babatunde said.
She concluded that while biodiesel is not a cure-all, it represents a realistic step toward a cleaner and more resilient energy future for the country.
“Climate change, declining global oil demand and rising energy costs demand pragmatic solutions. With a blend of chemistry and community effort, we can turn today’s waste into tomorrow’s fuel,” she said.
