They have a mountain of waste and a burning need for green energy. A delegation from Nigeria visited Linköping and there was great interest. They are seeking partners and want to learn more about Sweden's waste management and biogas production.
A delegation from Nigeria, Scania and Business Sweden came to Linköping University and Professor Mats Eklund to discuss biogas production. Photographer: Ulrik SVedin
Linköping University has the Biogas Solutions Research Center (BSRC), which coordinates Swedish research on production and distribution of biogas.
The visiting delegation included representatives from both Business Sweden and the vehicle manufacturer Scania, along with delegates from Nigeria's transport and environment ministries. Officials from Nigeria's largest city, Lagos, which has 22 million inhabitants, were also present.
Dr. Omobolaji Gaji, Engr. Abimbola Akinajo and Dr. Olumuyiwa Gbadegesin from Lagos, Nigeria, visiting Linköping to study biogas use.Photo credit: Ulrik Svedin“Lagos is a very large city. We generate 15,000 tons of waste daily. Half of it is organic material that is then landfilled, composted, and releases greenhouse gases. We want to produce biogas to power our buses and refuse trucks. What I have seen in Linköping is fantastic. It gives me confidence. We can achieve this in Lagos”, says Olumuyiwa Gbadegesin, head of waste management in Lagos.
When can you begin?
“We are about two years away from doing it. We need to act swiftly and learn from the world’s leading experts on this technology”, he says.
Mats Eklund, professor at Linköping University and the director of Biogas Solutions Research Center, guided the group to various sites in Linköping. This included the biogas station in Mörtlösa and the depot for Linköping's public transport, where buses powered by biogas, biodiesel, and electricity are refuelled and serviced.
“It was a very interesting meeting with people who asked very knowledgeable and relevant questions about biogas production, but also about other solutions such as biodiesel and the electrification of public transport”, says Mats Eklund.
“It can only be a win-win for the climate!”
The questions varied, from different technical conditions, technical lifespan, and operation, to how long it takes to refuel a biogas bus. Abimbola Akinajo is the CEO of Lagos’s transport authority. She describes how the city's public transport buses are diesel-powered, which results in significant emissions. At the same time, fossil fuel prices are very high in Nigeria.
Ambimbola Akinajo was impressed by the biogas production in Linköping.
Photo credit: Ulrik Svedin
“We also have many small buses, which is not efficient. Initially, we can reduce emissions simply by having fewer, but larger, buses. This transition gives us an opportunity to change fuel. We can clean up, get rid of the waste. We will have fewer buses on the streets, but they will be powered by biogas. It can only be a win-win for the climate!”
Nigeria is seeking partnerships between states, within the scientific community, and in the business sector. François LeChat, head of Scania West Africa, was also present:
Francois LeChat, Scania West Africa“Biogas is important in our region. It can help in many ways. Both to power vehicles and to produce electricity, which is in short supply. It is part of our strategy to not just sell vehicles; we must consider sustainability and a cleaner use of our products”, he says.
Mats Eklund is pleased with the meeting:
“It is inspiring for us Swedish researchers to see such great interest. Biogas technology is growing, but it can already, along with other energy sources, help reduce fossil fuels and at the same time solve other environmental problems”. Photo credit: Ulrik Svedin
