A Professor of Structural and Material Engineering at Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Professor Samson Olalekan Odeyemi, has called on the Federal Government to introduce policies requiring construction projects in Nigeria to incorporate a minimum percentage of recycled or sustainable materials.
Professor Odeyemi made the call while delivering the university’s 22nd Inaugural Lecture titled, “From Rubble to Resilience: Gathering the Fragments for a New Structural Paradigm.”
He said such a policy would lay the foundation for a new era of construction in Nigeria, where buildings and infrastructure are designed to be stronger, more resilient and environmentally sustainable.
The Professor identified agricultural waste products such as rice husk ash, corn cob ash, sugarcane bagasse ash and palm oil fuel ash as valuable resources that can be converted into high-performance engineering materials.
While noting that the materials are not primary binders, he explained that they possess pozzolanic properties that react during cement hydration to produce additional strength-enhancing compounds.
The Professor emphasised the need for Nigeria to reduce its overdependence on conventional cement by embracing a circular economy that promotes the use of locally sourced waste materials in the construction industry.
He further explained that supportive legislative frameworks and industry policies would encourage the integration of these materials into building projects, reduce environmental pollution, and lower construction costs.
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Professor Odeyemi said research has demonstrated that concrete produced with agricultural waste-derived materials can meet and even exceed conventional technical standards, while providing a more cost-effective and sustainable alternative for infrastructure development.
As evidence of the practical application of the research, the inaugural lecturer pointed to the interlocking paving stones at the entrance of the KWASU Faculty of Engineering, which were produced using rice husk ash and locally sourced fibres, demonstrating that the innovation has moved beyond the laboratory into real-world application.
He further described Nigeria’s construction industry as one where standards are often influenced by market forces, emphasising the need to protect the sector from excessive dependence on imported construction materials and the environmental impact associated with carbon-intensive cement production.
To reduce incidents of building collapse due to substandard and unregulated construction practices, Professor Odeyemi recommended that government agencies such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) ensure that only certified materials reach the market.
Professor Odeyemi reaffirmed that adopting sustainable building materials derived from agricultural waste would not only improve the durability and resilience of infrastructure but also promote environmental conservation, stimulate local industries, and support Nigeria’s drive toward sustainable development.
