The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, says the university will soon install a mini-refinery equipment for processing of Jatropha a flowering plant.
Abdulkareem said this at the 8th International Jatropha Conference, tagged: “Jatropha 2018,” organised by the University of Ilorin Jatropha Plantation Development and Maintenance Committee.
It is also in collaboration with the Society for the Conservation of Phytofuels and Sciences.
Jatropha flowering plant is locally called “Igi-lapa-lapa” in Yoruba, “bindazugu” in Hausa, Ncheogba in Igbo and “kachia” in Nupe.
The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the university’s Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Lanre Ajibade, explained that once the mini-refinery was achieved, it would give people the opportunity to bring Jatropha seeds for milling, pressing and production into Biodiesel.
Abdulkareem commended individuals who made donations to the university, and the recognition that the government, through the NNPC, had shown to the University on Jatropha plantation.
The vice-chancellor disclosed that since the inauguration of the committee on Jatropha, the university had established 55 hectares of Jatropha plantation and organised international conferences since 2010 till date.
He also stated that the institution had established research journal known as the International Journal of Phytofuel and Allied Sciences and collaborated with some cooperative societies.
Prof. Abdulkareem also pointed out that the university was recognised nationally in Biodiesel production.
He added that the residence of the Jatropha Plantation in the institution had attracted investors, scholars, authors, and farmers, who have expressed interest in sharing materials and knowledge with the university.
Also speaking at the conference, former Managing Director of Martaba Farms Nigeria Limited, Minna, Niger, Alhaji Garba Madami, urged the federal government to provide an enabling environment for Jatropha farmers and investors to boost the nation’s economy.