A delegation from the Mountain Top University (MTU) paid an exploratory visit to IITA–CGIAR headquarters, Ibadan, on 13 September. The visit aimed to learn about the Institute’s research innovations and discuss potential areas of partnership between IITA and the University.

In his welcome address, Deputy Head of Facilities Management Services (FMS) Martins Akeredolu explained how IITA has been an advocate and user of the circular economy through waste recycling, achieved via biogas technology. A key tenet of the circular economy is to recycle materials to build the renewable energy sector to minimize natural resource exploitation, limit commercial risks, and decrease adverse climatic, biodiversity, and social impacts.
Continuing his presentation, Akeredolu explained the processes involved in biogas generation. He shared the various uses of biogas at IITA—cooking, bio-fertilizer production, and power generation.

MTU Vice Chancellor Prof. Elijah Ayolabi expressed his delight in IITA’s technologies in improving agriculture across sub-Saharan Africa. He highlighted some areas they would want the partnership to focus on that would impact IITA and MTU—waste conversion, capacity development, post-harvest technologies, genetics, joint proposal development, and research collaboration.
In a wrap-up meeting with the delegates, IITA Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery (DDG-P4D), Kenton Dashiell, mentioned that there would be a linkage between the institution and the appropriate team members. He added that to establish a formal agreement, the collaboration procedure would entail signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The Delegates toured IITA’s facilities—Bioscience Center, Communication Office, and Cassava Processing and Utilization Units—to broaden their knowledge of their interests.
Contributed by Anita Akinyomade
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