Adeyinka Oluwaseun Titilope Speaks on Ethanol Breakthrough

By Tosin Clegg

Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases, is charting a new path toward sustainable energy with ethanol production from cassava.

At the heart of this movement is Dr. (Mrs.) Adeyinka Oluwaseun Titilope, a researcher whose work on ethanol micro-distilleries is sparking conversations about biofuels, climate change, and energy independence.

Her paper, “Ethanol Production in Nigeria: Ogbomoso Case Study,” highlights how a micro-distillery with the capacity of 1,000 liters per day has been established in Ogbomoso, using cassava as feedstock. The innovation, she argues, could reshape Nigeria’s energy future and reduce its dependence on polluting fossil fuels.

“In Sub-Saharan Africa, millions of families still rely on wood, charcoal, and animal waste for cooking,” she explained. “This reliance has led to about 4.3 million deaths every year due to respiratory illnesses. Biofuels are not just an energy alternative, they are a lifeline.”

Adeyinka, who has over six years of professional experience in environmental science and sustainability, noted that Nigeria’s vast cassava production offers an untapped advantage.

According to her, the country can recover 15 tons of cassava per hectare, making it an ideal crop for sustainable ethanol production.

“Cassava is more than food, it is power,” she said with conviction. “Its starch-rich composition makes it one of the highest-yielding feedstocks for ethanol. What we are doing is transforming a staple crop into an energy revolution.”

The Ogbomoso Ethanol Micro-Distillery, she explained, was established with the support of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) and in collaboration with Green Social Bioethanol (GSB) of Brazil, a global leader in biofuel technology. The plant uses an uncooked slurry process, which eliminates the need for costly heating, thereby reducing production costs.

“The beauty of this technology is its simplicity,” Adeyinka said. “It is easy to replicate, cost-efficient, and energy-saving. By skipping the heating stage, we cut down both the cost of production and environmental impact.”

Her work also emphasizes the wider social benefits of ethanol adoption. Farmers will benefit from expanded cassava plantations, while rural communities will gain access to clean cooking fuel and electricity. “It is about improving lives,” she stressed. “We are talking about reduced deforestation, better health outcomes, new jobs, and a cleaner Nigeria.”

Her earlier work includes the characterization of alpha-amylase enzymes from cassava peels for ethanol production, as well as multiple projects on aquatic pollution indicators. “From water to energy, my research has always been about sustainability,” she noted. “The question I ask is: how do we build systems that work for both people and the planet?”

She has also been vocal about the role of government in scaling up biofuel adoption. According to her, subsidies for cassava farmers, investment in research, and policies that encourage renewable energy use are essential. “Without strong policy backing, science stays on the shelf,” she warned. “Nigeria must be intentional about making biofuels accessible and affordable.”

Her advocacy is grounded in lived reality. During her years at NABDA, she coordinated projects that linked researchers, farmers, and policymakers. She sees this collaboration as the missing bridge in Nigeria’s energy transition. “We can’t leave it to academics alone. Industry and government must work hand-in-hand,” she argued.

Reflecting on the global biofuel outlook, she remains optimistic. With biofuel production projected to double globally in the next few years, Adeyinka insists that Nigeria has no excuse to be left behind. “We have the crops, we have the expertise, and we have the urgent need,” she said. “The time to act is now.”

Her research concludes with a powerful message: Nigeria’s energy future lies not only in its oil fields, but also in its farmlands. Or, as she puts it: “The solution to our climate and energy crises might just be growing beneath our feet—in the roots of cassava.”