As global climate challenges escalate and energy costs soar, innovative solutions are needed to address energy generation and environmental sustainability.

UK and United States-trained engineer and energy project manager, Oluwaseyi Fapo, with nearly two decades of experience, has proposed looking into alternative sources of fuel other than fossil fuels. He proposed the utilisation of Ammonia, and landfill gas (LFG) as a dual-purpose solution to generate power while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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Fapo’s research work highlights the immense potential of harnessing alternative energy sources such as Ammonia and landfill gas generated from waste dump sites across Nigeria. With the rising cost of energy, forcing consumers to pay as much as ₦225 per kWh and the increasing environmental impact from burning fossil fuels, the implementation and use of other alternative and sustainable sources of energy would reduce the dependence on the national grid which is already overloaded.

Fapo’s study in alternative energy sources researched the use of Ammonia for transportation and landfill gas for small scale landfill gas for municipal uses. His research findings show that alternative fuels such as Ammonia and LFG can generate energy and also significantly curb emissions of harmful gases like methane (CH4), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrous oxide (N₂O).

“Landfill gas is a self-generating resource that, when harnessed effectively, can remain productive for decades,” he said.

His work addresses the urgent need for cheaper, sustainable power generation solutions in Nigeria.

Fapo’s work emphasises the role of alternative sustainable fuels in tackling two major challenges simultaneously: the management of domestic waste and the generation of affordable energy. By capturing and utilising the methane emitted by landfills, his study demonstrates that power plants fueled by LFG could reduce landfill emissions by up to 70 per cent, while ammonia can be adopted as a means of fuel for ships. Moreover, these sources could provide a cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels, aligning with international emissions control targets and promoting sustainable development.

With a rich academic and professional background, Fapo graduated from Solent University and the University of Lincoln in the United Kingdom, culminating in a master’s degree in engineering management and systems engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology in the United States. His extensive experience spans LNG operations, renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable project management.

The environmental implications of Fapo’s research are transformative. Nigeria’s waste dump sites, often subject to open burning, release greenhouse gases that contribute significantly to global warming and pose public health risks. Fapo’s approach provides a pathway to mitigate these emissions while converting waste into a valuable energy source. Fapo sees Ammonia and LFG playing a pivotal role in bridging the energy gap in Nigeria and beyond. “This solution is not just about managing waste,” he says. “It’s about transforming challenges into opportunities for sustainability and economic growth.”
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