COOU Professors Win British Council £20,000 Grant for Smart Waste Innovation

Under the transformative watch of the 3V’s — Value, Viability and Visibility, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) continues to record groundbreaking research achievements that enhance its global visibility and societal impact.

Two distinguished Professors of the University, Prof. C. C. Nwobi-Okoye and Prof. N. N. Joe-Ikechebelu, have emerged as Co-Principal Investigators (PIs) in the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships, securing a £20,000 grant to fund higher education innovation across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Their award-winning project, under the Innovation for African Universities Enterprise and Innovation Challenge, focuses on developing IoT-enabled smart waste collection and incentivised recovery systems in Nigeria. It challenges the inefficiency of traditional waste management practices that rely on manual supervision and fixed schedules, which often result in environmental and health hazards.

Using a pilot study in Anambra State, the project integrates digital platforms, smart receptacles, and incentive-driven systems to promote efficient waste management, create green jobs, and build a data-driven circular economy. It aims to enhance sustainability, improve health outcomes, and generate socio-economic value across communities.

This interdisciplinary initiative aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and stands as a testament to COOU’s research strength and innovative drive. It reinforces the University’s vision of becoming the University of the Now and of the Future, where research and technology meet to transform society.

Congratulations Prof. Ngozi Joe-Ikechebelu and Prof. C. Nwobi-Okoye!!!

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