Kwara State University’s (KWASU) Centre for Sustainable Energy engineering team has successfully converted a petrol-powered bus to an electric vehicle.
Speaking with reporters on Tuesday during the 10th and 11th combined convocation ceremonies for the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 academic sessions at the university’s main campus in Malete, Moro local government area of the state, acting vice chancellor Professor Shaykh–Luqman Jimoh mentioned that this accomplishment came after the removal of the petrol subsidy and the consequent increase in PMS price.
“With this success, the institution has taken the lead in rethinking its environmental culture and developing new paradigms for solving problems, ensuring global environmental sustainability.
“We view it as a significant accomplishment for our Green Initiative as well as our commitment to enhancing the state’s economy and citizenry.
“This effort has drawn collaborations with the Kwara State Government and business organisations, provides improved efficiency in powering autos, and helps our environment be less polluted.”
Professor Jimoh stated that investors had begun to express interest in the product after pointing out that three vehicles—a 22-seater Coaster bus, a sedan, and a Hilux—had been modified to run on electricity. He urged those who own scrap cars and the state government to bring them in for conversion at reasonable prices.
The vice chancellor of KWASU added that the university has opened a plastic recycling facility at the Centre for Entrepreneurship, claiming that tonnes of plastic garbage that previously would have harmed the environment are now being turned into pavement stones as a result of this initiative.
According to his report, the university graduated 16,316 students in total during its 10th and 11th combined convocation ceremonies for the academic years 2022–2023 and 2021–2022.
The vice chancellor gave information on the graduates’ distribution, stating that there were 1,455 in the Third Class division for both sets, 5,145 in the Second Class Upper division, 8,420 in the Second Class Lower division, and 183 in the First Class division.
He also disclosed the first degree and higher degree graduation rates, showing 11,096 first degree and 767 higher degree graduates for the 2021–2022 academic year and 4,107 first degree and 345 higher degree graduates for the 2022–2023 academic year.