BioResources and Technology Division (BRT) junior researcher AbdulAzeez Shobajo, post doctoral researcher  Dr. Viktoriia Chubur and BRT Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík recently published an article in Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining (Wiley)! 

 

This new study investigates the potential of sugarcane bagasseas a feedstock for biogas generation in Nigeria. The research explores both the practical viability and the socio-technical drivers of adopting biogas technology in rural agricultural contexts by combining a socioeconomic survey of 120 farmers in Oyo State with laboratory-scale anaerobic digestion experiments. 

 

The findings showed that 74.2% of surveyed farmers expressed willingness to adopt biogas technology, especially those with higher education levels and positive perceptions of biogas. In the laboratory results, sugarcane bagasse produced up to 53.7% methane when digested alone, with co-digestion with cow manure yielding 53.8%, indicating comparable energy potential in both strategies under the study's conditions. 

 

Despite Nigeria's abundant biomass resources and increasing sugarcane production, bagasse remains underutilized, particularly in regions lacking processing facilities. This research highlights the untapped opportunity for decentralized, small-scale biogas solutions to help address rural energy shortages, improve waste management, and support sustainable agricultural practices. The key barriers identified included limited technical awareness, age-related adoption hesitancy, and insufficient infrastructure.  

 

The study recommends targeted policies, including educational programs and youth-focused outreach, to accelerate adoption. With Nigeria producing over 500 million tons of organic waste annually, this research offers a path to transform agricultural residues into renewable energy and empowering rural communities while addressing pressing energy and environmental challenges. 

 

 

Citation 
Shobajo, A., Chubur, V., & Roubík, H. (2025). Potential of sugarcane bagasse as feedstock for biogas production in Nigeria. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining. https://doi.org/10.1002/bbb.2811