News
PROF. UCHELE OKPANACHI DELIVERS 123RD INAUGURAL LECTURE AT UNIVERSITY OF JOS, ADVOCATES WASTE-TO-FEED INNOVATION FOR CIRCULAR ECONOMY
The Deputy Director, Training and Research at the TETFund Centre of Excellence for Food Security, Professor Uchele Okpanachi of the Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, delivered the 123rd inaugural lecture of the University of Jos on April 28, 2025, at the Aliyu Akwe Doma Indoor Theatre, Naraguta Campus. The lecture, titled “Turning Fragments into Gold: The Nigerian Circular Economic Engine and the Alchemy of Waste-to-Feed", attracted a wide array of guests from within and outside the University of Jos.
The Deputy Director, Training and Research at the TETFund Centre of Excellence for Food Security, Professor Uchele Okpanachi of the Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, delivered the 123rd inaugural lecture of the University of Jos on April 28, 2025, at the Aliyu Akwe Doma Indoor Theatre, Naraguta Campus.
The lecture, titled “Turning Fragments into Gold: The Nigerian Circular Economic Engine and the Alchemy of Waste-to-Feed", attracted a wide array of guests from within and outside the University of Jos.
The event commenced at 1:00 p.m. with a formal procession of members of the Senate and senior administrative officers. It was declared open by the vice-chancellor, Professor Tanko Ishaya, who was represented by the director of academic planning and management, Professor John D. Mawak.
In his remarks, Professor Mawak noted that he was also representing the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) and Chairman of the Senate Inaugural Lecture Series Committee, Prof. Pic Charles Onwochei. He welcomed dignitaries, guests, staff, and students and urged them to pay rapt attention to the inaugural lecturer, who was presenting the outcome of years of academic research.
As is customary in inaugural lectures, the citation of Professor Okpanachi was read by Dr Meshak Alfa of the Department of Civl Engineering, who highlighted a distinguished academic career culminating in over 83 publications, alongside notable community service achievements.
In his lecture, Professor Okpanachi, who also serves as the Deputy Dean of the Faculty, noted that Nigeria produces approximately 50 million tonnes of waste annually. He explained that animal waste contains valuable nutrients and forms a critical component of the circular economy, where waste can be effectively circulated and regenerated. According to him, animals are natural recyclers, and the overarching goal is to convert biological waste into industrial products.
He further observed that Nigeria experiences about 38 million tonnes of post-harvest losses annually, yet the country continues to underutilise waste recycling strategies that could significantly address food insecurity. He emphasised the utilisation of waste as animal feed, noting that converting waste into feed can substitute conventional animal feed resources, thereby freeing up more primary agricultural produce for human consumption.
He added that his research has shown that waste-based animal feeds can contain up to 16% more protein than conventional feed ingredients such as millet, maize, and guinea corn. He also noted that eggshells possess higher levels of essential minerals, including sodium, calcium, and potassium, presenting data to demonstrate the efficacy of waste-derived materials in animal feed production.He further demonstrated the practical application of his research by showing how a broiler chicken fed with his waste-based feed attained a weight of 7 kg.
He also recounted how some dog breeders had expressed the challenges and high cost of producing conventional dog feed, which motivated him to develop a waste-based alternative that is now being adopted by some breeders due to its affordability and ease of preparation.In concluding his lecture, Professor Okpanachi stated that this agricultural innovation has the potential to contribute significantly to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty; Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger; Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being; Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy; and Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action, if properly implemented at scale.He recommended that individuals should engage in small-scale animal husbandry and utilise waste efficiently. He further suggested that the University of Jos management could invest in facilities and equipment to convert waste generated on campus into valuable products for both internal use and external markets.
Additionally, he called on industries such as NASCO, Standard Biscuits, and Grand Cereals to make their waste materials available for recycling into animal feed.Finally, he urged the government to adopt this innovation and establish quality control laboratories across agro-ecological zones to ensure that waste-derived animal feed meets required standards for animal health, noting that such an approach holds immense potential to transform waste into wealth.
The vote of thanks was delivered by the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Patrick Vandi Kwaghe, who expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor’s representative, deans, members of the Senate, heads of departments, staff, students, and invited guests for their presence. He noted that Professor Okpanachi is the first inaugural lecturer from the Department of Animal Production and the first from the Faculty and pledged to establish a faculty committee to consider and implement the lecturer’s recommendations. He also thanked Professor Okpanachi’s wife and children for the support given to him throughout his academic journey.
The lecture was attended by prominent figures within the university, including the Director of the TETFund Centre of Excellence in Food Security, Professor Bitrus Dauda Bawa; former Acting Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, Professor Patricia Lar; and former Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Sati Fwatshak, among others.
The lecture, titled “Turning Fragments into Gold: The Nigerian Circular Economic Engine and the Alchemy of Waste-to-Feed", attracted a wide array of guests from within and outside the University of Jos.
The event commenced at 1:00 p.m. with a formal procession of members of the Senate and senior administrative officers. It was declared open by the vice-chancellor, Professor Tanko Ishaya, who was represented by the director of academic planning and management, Professor John D. Mawak.
In his remarks, Professor Mawak noted that he was also representing the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) and Chairman of the Senate Inaugural Lecture Series Committee, Prof. Pic Charles Onwochei. He welcomed dignitaries, guests, staff, and students and urged them to pay rapt attention to the inaugural lecturer, who was presenting the outcome of years of academic research.
As is customary in inaugural lectures, the citation of Professor Okpanachi was read by Dr Meshak Alfa of the Department of Civl Engineering, who highlighted a distinguished academic career culminating in over 83 publications, alongside notable community service achievements.
In his lecture, Professor Okpanachi, who also serves as the Deputy Dean of the Faculty, noted that Nigeria produces approximately 50 million tonnes of waste annually. He explained that animal waste contains valuable nutrients and forms a critical component of the circular economy, where waste can be effectively circulated and regenerated. According to him, animals are natural recyclers, and the overarching goal is to convert biological waste into industrial products.
He further observed that Nigeria experiences about 38 million tonnes of post-harvest losses annually, yet the country continues to underutilise waste recycling strategies that could significantly address food insecurity. He emphasised the utilisation of waste as animal feed, noting that converting waste into feed can substitute conventional animal feed resources, thereby freeing up more primary agricultural produce for human consumption.
He added that his research has shown that waste-based animal feeds can contain up to 16% more protein than conventional feed ingredients such as millet, maize, and guinea corn. He also noted that eggshells possess higher levels of essential minerals, including sodium, calcium, and potassium, presenting data to demonstrate the efficacy of waste-derived materials in animal feed production.He further demonstrated the practical application of his research by showing how a broiler chicken fed with his waste-based feed attained a weight of 7 kg.
He also recounted how some dog breeders had expressed the challenges and high cost of producing conventional dog feed, which motivated him to develop a waste-based alternative that is now being adopted by some breeders due to its affordability and ease of preparation.In concluding his lecture, Professor Okpanachi stated that this agricultural innovation has the potential to contribute significantly to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty; Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger; Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being; Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy; and Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action, if properly implemented at scale.He recommended that individuals should engage in small-scale animal husbandry and utilise waste efficiently. He further suggested that the University of Jos management could invest in facilities and equipment to convert waste generated on campus into valuable products for both internal use and external markets.
Additionally, he called on industries such as NASCO, Standard Biscuits, and Grand Cereals to make their waste materials available for recycling into animal feed.Finally, he urged the government to adopt this innovation and establish quality control laboratories across agro-ecological zones to ensure that waste-derived animal feed meets required standards for animal health, noting that such an approach holds immense potential to transform waste into wealth.
The vote of thanks was delivered by the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Patrick Vandi Kwaghe, who expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor’s representative, deans, members of the Senate, heads of departments, staff, students, and invited guests for their presence. He noted that Professor Okpanachi is the first inaugural lecturer from the Department of Animal Production and the first from the Faculty and pledged to establish a faculty committee to consider and implement the lecturer’s recommendations. He also thanked Professor Okpanachi’s wife and children for the support given to him throughout his academic journey.
The lecture was attended by prominent figures within the university, including the Director of the TETFund Centre of Excellence in Food Security, Professor Bitrus Dauda Bawa; former Acting Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, Professor Patricia Lar; and former Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Sati Fwatshak, among others.