Nigeria's small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in agriculture are set for a breakthrough as Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) secured a €117,000 (N200 million) grant from the European Union (EU) to develop a solar-powered aquaponics system.
The project, known as AQUACLEC, will merge catfish farming with maize and vegetable cultivation in a sustainable model designed to support agri-SMEs and boost food security. It is being led by Dr. Funmilayo Doherty with partnerships from the University of Lagos, University of Turku, and University of Lapland.
Yabatech spokesperson Mr. Adekunle Adams revealed that the grant will fund a Lagos-based innovation hub to test, replicate, and scale the technology, enabling SMEs and local farmers to adopt affordable, eco-friendly solutions for agribusiness.
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He stressed that the initiative is designed to be replicable across Nigeria and West Africa, empowering entrepreneurs with tools and knowledge to compete globally. Yabatech's team of over 200 PhD holders will drive research, training, and policy engagement to back the project.
Coming alongside Yabatech's recent training of 200 youths in digital and creative skills under NYESAF, the EU-funded aquaponics system positions the college as a powerhouse for SME empowerment, sustainable farming, and national development.
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