This is the special palm oil plant developed under the Tetfund–sponsored project title “Development of Appropriate Agro-Processing  Technologies for the Production of Special Palm Oil for Industrial Applications in Nigeria” in the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering,  and sited at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm. The plant which was commissioned on Thursday, 14^th November, 2024, is now ready for commercialisation. It has the capacity to process 1.5 tonnes of fresh palm fruit bunches in one hour and can be scaled up. This is an  innovative intervention for small scale processors to bring them to the level of having technology similar to what operates in the large scale processing plants producing the oil. Majority of the large scale plants import the technologies being utilized. This new plant has its design and fabrication  carried out here in Obafemi Awolowo University while all the materials were locally-sourced.

Special palm oil is a high grade palm oil used in the food and agro-allied industries. Such oil must have free fatty acid content of less than 3% and moisture content of less than 1%   according to World’s export market standards. With this feat, the University has the potential to produce the oil not only for consumption in the immediate environment but to support industries needing the oil in country.

In addition, one (1) PhD, One (1) MSc student and fourteen (14) undergraduate students were trained on the research project leading to the plant.  There are avenues for training of students and further meaningful research and development on the plant. The research team members are  listed below.

Picture of invited guests, members of the team and processors at the commissioning ceremony
(The Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration , Prof Yomi Daramola, the Dean of Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. A. A. Tijani, the immediate past Dean of Agriculture, Prof. A. J. Farinde, the Head of Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Prof. D. A. Okunade, the Director IPTTO, Prof. Grace Ogunlusi and Head of Farm, Prof. Yesufu witnessed the occasion)

1. O. K. Owolarafe, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering – Principal Investigator
2. B. S. Ogunsina , Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering
3. S. O. Obayopo, Department of Mechanical  Engineering
4. T. A. Morakinyo, Department of Food Science and Technology
5. G. O. Binuyo, African Institute for Science Policy and Innovation
6. V.O. Okorie, Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development
7. G. A. Badmus, Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, Benin City
8. I. O. Olaoye, Department of Agricultural Engineering, First Technical University, Ibadan