Covenant University remains at the forefront of addressing climate change, actively engaging in initiatives to educate and empower its community and beyond. The university is dedicated to Sustainable Climate Initiatives, focusing on climate action through awareness, collaboration, and proactive strategies.
Covenant University measures the amount of low-carbon energy utilized across the entire University community. The measurement forms part of the component for the annual computation of the University’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory Report, as outlined in the Covenant University Climate Action Plan. The GHG inventory report serves as a major indicator to the University’s performance towards the achievement of the Carbon Neutrality Commitment of Covenant University by 2040.
Carbon emissions at Covenant University are majorly from its production and consumption of energy. Covenant University’s emissions have continued to decline ever since the University decarbonized the power generation section by successfully transitioning from diesel-fired power plants to natural gas-fired power plants. Covenant University runs a 12MW Independent Power Plant that runs solely on natural gas and is designed to meet and exceed all emissions standards. The Plant currently serves the Covenant University campus and its staff estates. The power plant consists of 1No 5.7 MW gas-fired turbine and 5Nos 1.2MW gas engines to generate electricity.
Covenant University also generates about 69.44kW of power from rooftop/ground mount solar photovoltaic to power the research building (CUCRID), housing sensitive laboratory testing equipment, with plans underway to increase the contribution of energy from renewable energy into the university energy mix as outlined in the Covenant University Energy Efficiency Policy (CUEEP). In addition to the power plant that runs on natural gas (a low-carbon energy source), the use of clean energy is a key strategy adopted by Covenant University to achieve a sustainable university.
Renewable Energy
Covenant University is actively addressing climate change and promoting a sustainable, green transition through education, research, and collaboration with industries pursuing Net-Zero goals. The university focuses on key areas such as climate risk assessment, mitigation, adaptation, and early warning systems, supported by academic programs via courses like B.Sc in Industrial Chemistry (Analytical and Environmental Chemictry Option), M.Sc and PhD in Industrial Chemistry (Analytical and Environmental Chemictry Option), M.Sc in Industrial Physics (Renewable Energy Option), Ph.D in Industrial Physics (Renewable Energy Option). Using advanced technologies, Covenant University enhances understanding of climate impacts and environmental sustainability. Several research groups, including The Energy & Environment Research Group (TEERG), Energy & Environment Research Cluster (EERC), Renewable Energy Research Cluster (RERC), Built Environment Research Cluster (BERC), Biotechnology Research Cluster (BRC), Centre for Economic Policy and Development Research (CEPDeR), are dedicated to advancing studies in energy systems, climate modelling, climate risk assessment, mitigation, adaptation, and sustainable development. Furthermore, our curriculum is continuously reviewed and refined in collaboration with international accreditation bodies and industry partners, leveraging their expertise to ensure that our graduates possess the competencies and practical skills necessary to make meaningful and enduring contributions to the environment. All courses at Covenant University are now incorporating components of sustainability in line with the international curriculum.
Covenant University has newly instituted the DOF-CRIPBar Grant as a special fund that supports cutting-edge research on innovative ideas by providing homegrown solutions that contribute to alleviating social, economic and environmental challenges in line with the objectives of the SDGs. Most discoveries on climate risk assessment, mitigation, adaptation, early warning systems, and sustainability are also being disseminated by the Covenant University Community Development Impact Initiative Committee (CU-CDIIC), an organ of the University saddled with the responsibility of driving social and economic advancement, dissemination of research findings, in local organizations and underserved communities through sustainable development initiatives, implemented in partnership with key local stakeholders, including Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
Furthermore, Covenant University regularly hosts conferences and workshops that bring together global leaders, scholars, policymakers, and industry experts to advance research in climate and sustainable technologies. These events promote collaboration, community engagement, and innovation across fields such as climate engineering, sustainability, and clean technology, aligning with the SDGs. Some of the recently organized conferences are:
Covenant University has developed its Climate Action Plan, referred to as CU-CAPs, to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and overall energy consumption, with a pledge to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2040. Through CU-CAPs, the University supports the entire community and local government in taking action that achieves the greatest carbon reduction and impact.
Through the initiatives of the David Oyedepo Foundation (DOF), Covenant University Community Development Impact Initiative Committee (CU-CDIIC), and RCE Ogun, Covenant University participates in cooperative planning for climate change disasters. Several interventions have been undertaken by the David Oyedepo Foundation (DOF) in collaboration with the government to support Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) within the country, and various relief materials have been made available to distressed communities outside the country.
Covenant University, through the Covenant University Community Development Impact Initiative Committee (CU-CDIIC), and RCE Ogun, informs and supports local/regional governments in addressing climate change disasters and risks. CU-CDIIC is mandated to complement the University’s teaching and research mandates by disseminating knowledge, product, and research findings on climate-related and sustainability issues in local organizations and underserved communities through sustainable development initiatives, implemented in partnership with key local stakeholders, including Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
Covenant University is also committed to working with local governments and partnering and collaborating on climate change-related issues with local community groups through RCE Ogun which is one of the Regional Centres of Expertise (RCE) in the world, aiming for effective transition towards sustainability locally. RCEs are networks of existing formal, non-formal, and informal organizations that facilitate learning towards sustainable development in local and regional communities. The network constitutes the Global Learning Space for Sustainable Development. The goal of RCE Ogun is to create resilient, inclusive, and environmentally friendly communities through formal and informal training, enlightenment programmes, and exemplary projects that promote sustainable development of the region.
Covenant University has been collaborating with NGOs and local organizations on climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience through the David Oyedepo Foundation (DOF), Covenant University Community Development Impact Initiative Committee (CU-CDIIC), and RCE Ogun. They work in partnership with NGOs and other key stakeholders to disseminate knowledge, climate adaptation techniques, and climate relief materials to vulnerable communities, underserved communities, and internally displaced peoples’ (IDPs) camps.
Covenant University has set a target date of 2040 to achieve carbon neutrality. This was communicated by the development of the Carbon Neutrality Commitment of Covenant University: 2040. Covenant University is a carbon-literate institution committed to advancing actions toward net-zero emissions. Through the rigorous implementation of the Covenant University Energy Efficiency Policy (CUEEP), the University has achieved: (i) an average annual reduction of at least 3% in campus energy use intensity (EUI) relative to the 2021 baseline, and (ii) ongoing optimization of campus estates and infrastructure through robust energy efficiency measures. With this steady decline in EUI, the ultimate objective is to ensure that all electricity consumed by the University is generated from renewable sources—achieving 100% renewable energy in alignment with the University’s carbon neutrality target for 2040. Furthermore, the University has developed and continues to advance the Covenant University Divestment Policy (CUDP), reinforcing its leadership in promoting a just and inclusive transition toward decarbonization.
Road traffic dominates transportation in big cities in Nigeria, with frequent experience of daily gridlock, and people being exposed to toxic vehicular emissions (CO₂ and CO), which raises significant public health concerns, particularly for individuals with limited access to healthcare. Currently, there is no system actively cleaning the air along busy roads. This project converts solar-powered streetlights into tools that also filter toxic gases using MOF cartridges, thereby helping to clean the air where pollution is most concentrated. The system uses MOF cartridges with low-noise fans to pull in polluted air and capture harmful gases. This solution merges three technologies into one: street lighting, solar power, and MOF filtration.
2. Integration of Circular Economy Strategies in Waste Management for Sustainable Housing Solution
Foluke Oladunni JEGEDE, Department of Architecture, Covenant University
Many cities around the world are experiencing challenges in meeting housing deficits and affordable housing. Nigeria faces a persistent and escalating challenge in waste management, primarily driven by rapid urbanisation and population growth. Leading to severe environmental degradation, health hazards, water and food contamination and urban infrastructure strain. Organic food waste makes (57%), alongside inorganic, such as plastics, metals, and glass. Limited efforts exist to recycle plastics into household items or textiles, their short lifecycle leads to rapid return into the waste stream. Public awareness remains low, and waste reuse strategies have largely failed to provide a lasting impact. The high cost and environmental unsustainability of conventional building materials like sandcrete blocks as lead to this project introducing circular economy-based waste management strategy by transforming urban waste into sustainable building materials. Rather than focusing solely on short-term recycling, it emphasises long-life regeneration of plastic, food, and construction waste into construction products. The innovation centrers on developing and constructing a prototype sustainable housing unit within Covenant University, using building components derived from waste materials. This unit will serve as a functional demonstration of alternative construction techniques and a model for scalable community-level solutions in Ota, Ogun State, and across Nigeria.
