Plastic Waste To Diesel Conversion Demonstrated At Workshop Held By PBEII Ltd In Abuja
Nigeria has taken another bold stride toward sustainable environmental innovation with the successful demonstration of a plastic waste-to-diesel conversion technology, organized 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, emphasizing 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 Investment Limited is leading with purpose and foresight.
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 the 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, Mr. Gegele Yahya 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, which can be used in battery manufacturing and soil enrichment.
‘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 reindustrialization’ Olushola said.
He also noted that the demonstration is designed to showcase full circularity, transforming waste into clean fuel that could be directly used for transport.
One of the highlights 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, Mr. Fife Banks described the project as ‘a model of African ingenuity meeting global sustainability standards’.
He emphasized the company’s mission to not only provide environmental solutions but also create jobs, attract investment, and strengthen Nigeria’s energy independence.
‘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’ Banks said.
Delivering his keynote address, Minister of Environment, who was represented by Dr Bahijjahtu Abubakar, Director of Pollution Control & 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 prioritizes sustainability, industrialization, and youth empowerment.
‘Plastic waste is not just an environmental nuisance; it is a national challenge that undermines public health and development. 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’ the minister said.
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, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Adam Kambari, represented by Mrs Falmata Bukar-Kolo, Deputy Director, pollution control & 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’ she said.
A statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com noted that the event attracted representatives from the Bank of Industry, Nature News, the Nigerian Plastic Action Partnership, NPAP, and the Office of the president’s Senior Special Assistant on Industrial Training and Development.
Femi Idowu-Adegoke, a representative of NPAP, applauded the project, describing it as a ‘blueprint for sustainable industrial transformation’ while noting that Nigeria may be Africa’s largest producer of plastic waste which also gives us the biggest opportunity to turn waste into wealth through innovation and collaboration.
While presenting an award to Mr. Olushola Gegele, Alhaji Aliu Akoshilei, chairman of Nature News, praised the initiative as ‘historic’ noting that it has the potential to reduce Nigeria’s carbon footprint and create thousands of green jobs.
‘We at Nature News will continue to amplify innovations like this. If we fail to act now, tomorrow may be too late’ he warned.
‘For Premium Blue Economy Innovations and Investments Limited, the success of this demonstration reinforces its mission to catalyze
Nigeria’s shared and sustainable blue prosperity. Under Gegele Yahya Olushola and Fife Banks’ leadership, the company continues to push boundaries — proving that environmental innovation can drive economic transformation’ the statement added-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
