ASEF, Ignatius Ajuru University Partner to Link Agricultural Research with Enterprise
The Agricultural and Social Entrepreneurship Foundation (ASEF International) and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education have signed a partnership agreement to promote circular agriculture, food production, research and entrepreneurship through the implementation of Project Waste4Meal.
The agreement, signed on October 8, 2026, is designed to establish an institutional framework that connects agricultural research with practical production, student development, commercial opportunities and community engagement.
At the heart of Project Waste4Meal is the concept of converting agricultural waste into useful resources, thereby reducing waste and supporting sustainable food production.
Under the initiative, black soldier fly production will be used to convert suitable organic materials into insect protein for animal feed and organic fertiliser for crop cultivation.
Newsarena.ng reports that the broader concept also links insect farming with poultry production, aquaculture, greenhouse cultivation, processing and other supporting facilities.
President of ASEF International, Commander Azeez Oluwole, said the initiative goes beyond insect farming, describing Waste4Meal as an integrated ecosystem that combines education, research, production, processing and entrepreneurship.
He said under the agreement, ASEF will provide technical support, develop programmes and mobilise resources to advance the initiative.
He explained that the university, on its part, will contribute academic expertise and facilitate access to approved facilities, creating opportunities for students and researchers to apply their knowledge to practical agricultural challenges.
The Vice-Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Okechukwu Onuchukwu, highlighted the commercial potential of agriculture, noting that practical production experience could equip students with the skills to establish businesses after graduation.
He said the partnership could also create opportunities for skills development, employment generation and increased revenue for the university.
The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Godfrey Adokiye Kalio, welcomed the initiative, particularly its emphasis on alternative sources of animal feed. The use of insect protein, he noted, offers an avenue for exploring innovative approaches to agricultural production and resource utilisation.
Similarly, ASEF Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Rosemary Adebayo, urged students to embrace agripreneurship and recognise their potential contributions to food security and economic development.
She highlighted the proposed “Seed to Success Agripreneur Programme”, which is expected to support students through training, practical exposure, mentorship, business incubation and investment-readiness activities.
Mr Inene Dan, Coordinator and State Manager of Safe Nest Cooperative, also stressed the importance of exposing students to successful agricultural enterprises, saying practical experience can help them understand how agricultural knowledge can be translated into viable businesses.
The partnership further highlights the importance of infrastructure, land and productive assets in agricultural development. However, the agreement itself should not be interpreted as an endorsement by the university of any separate commercial offering associated with agricultural real estate or investment.
For prospective participants in agricultural ventures, key considerations include the nature of the asset or rights being acquired, responsibility for managing production, the allocation of costs and risks, available market arrangements and the terms governing transfers or exits. Land ownership, ownership of production assets and participation in farm operations remain distinct arrangements.
The agreement between ASEF and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education establishes a framework for connecting academic knowledge with practical agricultural enterprise. Through Project Waste4Meal and related entrepreneurship initiatives, the partners aim to create opportunities for students to gain practical experience, explore business development and contribute to sustainable food production.
The success of the initiative will depend on effective implementation, sustained institutional collaboration and the ability to translate research and training into productive agricultural activities.
