By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Centre for Petroleum, Energy Economics and Law (CPEEL) at the University of Ibadan, in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development (AERD), has unveiled two innovative agricultural projects aimed at enhancing national food security.
The prototype of the projects, which include a smart irrigation system and smart crop dryer, were launched at a strategic energy workshop themed “Concept to Community: Scalable Energy Solutions for Rural and Off-Grid Sustainable Development.”
The Director of CPEEL, Prof. Olugbenga Falode, emphasized the vital role of innovation and technology in addressing Nigeria’s energy challenges.
He noted that the centre has developed several tailored energy technology solutions, including IoT-enabled solar irrigation and solar dryer, to improve energy access and efficiency in rural areas.
Falode stressed the need for government investment in energy research and technologies, such as mini-grids, which can power agro-processing units and cold storage.
He also highlighted the importance of collaboration between CPEEL and AERD in ensuring that energy solutions make a real impact in fields, farms, and homes.
He further emphasised, “Energy is the golden thread that connects economic growth, social equity, and environmental sustainability.” Sadly, that golden thread remains broken in many rural communities.
“Today, over 640 million Africans lack access to electricity, with the continent’s access rate just above 40 percent – the lowest globally. In sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa), per capita energy consumption is only 180 kWh, compared to 13,000 kWh in the U.S. and 6,500 kWh in Europe.
“More than 80 percent of those without power live in rural, off-grid regions and rely on biomass for cooking, which has serious health, environmental, and economic consequences. Poor energy access causes indoor air pollution, weakens healthcare and education, and raises business costs. Expanding energy access is critical for poverty reduction, job creation, and inclusive, sustainable growth.
“At the Centre for Petroleum, Energy Economics & Law, we are deeply committed to research, innovation, and policy engagement that translate scientific knowledge into practical solutions.
“Our focus spans a spectrum of energy resources, from renewable energy technologies such as solar photovoltaics, biogas systems, improved cookstoves, mini-grids, and hybrid systems to sustainably utilising oil and gas.
“By promoting responsible oil and gas usage alongside renewable options, we are creating an energy mix that is realistic, context-sensitive, and geared toward long-term sustainability. But we recognize that the challenge is not just technological—it is also institutional, financial, and behavioral.”
The Head of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Prof. Stella Odebode, emphasized the critical role of cross-sector collaboration in deploying and adopting sustainable energy solutions within rural farming communities.
Other notable speakers at the workshop included Engr. Adebayo Ige, CEO/MD of IESL, who reaffirmed the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, and Prof. Akin Iwayemi, Principal Investigator of CPEEL, who stressed the importance of investment in research and collaboration between academia and industry.
In his keynote, , CEO/MD of IESL, Engr. Adebayo Ige reaffirmed the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability as a strategic partner in community-driven energy development. He acknowledged Dr. Diran Fawibe, Chairman of IESL, for his leadership in aligning engineering with social impact.
Engr. Ige highlighted IESL’s ₦10 million annual grant to the Centre, aimed at supporting locally driven energy solutions. He emphasized the importance of empowering local talent and scaling innovations like solar mini-grids and hybrid systems through stronger collaboration with research institutions, governments, and communities—ensuring solutions are user-focused, locally owned, and sustainable.
The workshop concluded with a call for stronger collaboration between academia and communities to overcome technological barriers and sustain leadership in energy research.
The CPEEL team, supervised by Prof. Falode, includes Dr. Kehinde Bewaji, Dr. Akinsanoye, Engr. Tekhukoroh, and Engr. Kamara.
