Nigeria has taken another bold stride toward sustainable environmental innovation with the successful demonstration of a plastic waste-to-diesel conversion technology.
This was innovated by Premium Blue Economy Innovations and Investments Limited in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment.
Held in Abuja, the event marked a pivotal moment in the country’s journey toward a circular and regenerative economy, aligning with the global Blue Economy agenda that promotes responsible resource use, clean energy, and sustainable industrial growth.
The Blue Economy is a fast-rising global development model that merges economic growth with environmental stewardship, emphasising the sustainable use of ocean, water, and environmental resources.
In Nigeria, it extends beyond marine resources to include waste-to-energy innovation, climate adaptation, and eco-industrial systems, areas that Premium Blue Economy Innovations and Investments Limited is leading with purpose and foresight.
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The company was co-founded by two visionary Nigerian entrepreneurs: Gegele Yahya Olushola and Fife Banks, who were inspired by the sustainability principles championed by Professor Gunter Pauli, a Belgian economist and founder of the Blue Economy concept.
Today, that idea has evolved into one of Nigeria’s most innovative sustainability ventures, bringing together scientists, engineers, economists, and strategists to transform plastic pollution into a profitable, clean energy resource.
During the demonstration, Co-founder and CEO Olushola walked participants through the pyrolysis-based conversion process that transforms non-PET plastics such as polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene into ultra-low sulphur diesel.
The process also generates synthetic gas, which powers the plant, and char residue that can be used in battery manufacturing and soil enrichment.
Olushola explained: “We focus on the plastics that most recyclers ignore—nylon bags, packaging materials, broken furniture, and household plastics.
“These are the plastics that often end up in landfills, drainages, and oceans.
“Through this innovation, we turn them into usable diesel, clean gas, and industrial-grade carbon material.
“This is not just recycling, it’s reindustrialisation.”
Olushola noted that the demonstration was designed to showcase full circularity, transforming waste into clean fuel that could be directly used for transport.
The highlight of the event was a vehicle powered by the locally produced diesel that reportedly drove from Lagos to Abuja, proving the technology’s real-world viability.
Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Banks described the project as “a model of African ingenuity meeting global sustainability standards”.
He emphasised the company’s mission to not only provide environmental solutions but also create jobs, attract investment, and strengthen Nigeria’s energy independence.
He said: “This is a Nigerian innovation, developed by Nigerians, for Nigerians.
“Our goal is to help build a self-sustaining green industry that provides cleaner fuel alternatives while stimulating economic growth across the value chain.”
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of the Environment, represented by Engr. Bahijjahtu Abubakar, the Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, commended Premium Blue Economy for its groundbreaking contribution, stressing that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises sustainability, industrialisation, and youth empowerment.
“Plastic waste is not just an environmental nuisance; it is a national challenge that undermines public health and development,” the Minister said, adding: “But within every challenge lies opportunity.
“Converting plastic waste into ultra-low sulphur diesel is a demonstration of how science and innovation can turn hazards into assets.”
She added that the project contributes to Nigeria’s Paris Agreement goals, net-zero emissions target by 2060 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals on clean energy, climate action, and sustainable production.
Earlier, in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Adam Kambari, represented by Falmata Bukar-Kolo, Deputy Director, Pollution Control and Environmental health, described the initiative as a “strategic step toward cleaner energy production, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and advancement of a circular economy.
“Through innovation and technology, plastic waste, long seen as a menace, can now be transformed into a valuable energy resource.
“This project reflects our collective resolve to turn environmental challenges into opportunities.”
The event attracted representatives from the Bank of Industry, Nature News, Nigerian Plastic Action Partnership, and Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Development.
Femi Idowu-Adegoke, a representative of NPAP, applauded the project, describing it as a “blueprint for sustainable industrial transformation.
Idowu-Adegoke stated that Nigeria may be Africa’s largest producer of plastic waste, but that also gives us the biggest opportunity to turn waste into wealth through innovation and collaboration.
Alhaji Aliu Akoshilei, Chairman of Nature News, while presenting an award to Olushola, praised the initiative as “historic”, noting its potential to reduce Nigeria’s carbon footprint and create thousands of green jobs.
Akoshilei said: “We at Nature News will continue to amplify innovations like this.
“If we fail to act now, tomorrow may be too late.”
For Premium Blue Economy Innovations and Investments Limited, the success of the demonstration reinforced its mission to catalyse Nigeria’s shared and sustainable blue prosperity.
Under the leadership of Olushola and Banks, the company continues to push boundaries, proving that environmental innovation can drive economic transformation.
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