Prof. Oluwole Banjo, Vice-Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education, emphasized the importance of fostering partnerships between academic institutions and industry leaders to drive the transition towards a low-carbon future.
Banjo made this call on Monday through a statement, as part of his contribution to the 5-day Virtual Green Chemistry Conference, which was organized by More Green Plus and supported by Beyond Benign.
The conference, with the theme “Innovating with Chemistry in the 21st Century,” drew scientists from various universities across the world.
According to Banjo, green chemistry is pivotal in addressing environmental pollution and climate change.
The vice-chancellor emphasised that developing environmentally friendly chemical processes was the only viable solution to the ongoing environmental crisis.
He stated, “Green chemistry offers the only solution to address issues of climate change and this conference provided a platform for participants to explore diverse aspects of green chemistry, such as biofuels and life-cycle assessments, ensuring the long-term sustainability of these innovations.”
Running alongside the conference was the Interuniversity Competition., which aims to foster innovation and collaboration in green chemistry among Nigerian academic institutions.
Out of 20 institutions of higher learning across Nigeria invited for the exercise, 15 participated, reflecting a broad commitment to environmental stewardship.
Some of the participating institutions included Koladaisi University, Omuni, Oyo State; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State; the University of Ibadan; the University of Ilorin; the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Kwara State; and the University, Malete, Ilorin, among others.
At the end of the competition, Chrisland University, Abeokuta, came up top; Koladaisi University was the first runner-up, while the Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State, came third
The Inter-University Competition on Green Chemistry Initiatives serves as a platform for students and faculty to collaborate, innovate, and tackle pressing environmental challenges through interdisciplinary research and projects.
The keynote speakers at the event were Prof. Temilola Oluseyi, a leading authority on Green Chemistry; Prof. Enoch Olugbenga Dare, who explored the connections between Green Chemistry, Nanotechnology, and Circular Economy; and Prof. Agbaje Lateef, who brought his expertise in microbiology to the discussion.
Earlier this year, the Chemistry Department celebrated a dual success when Dr. Akinsipo Oyesola and Dr. Anselm Oluwaseun were both recipients of the coveted Beyondbenign grant.
