Sahelian Institute Presents Bamboo Products, Seeks VC’s Support for Greater Institutional Impact

As VC proposes ₦10m Investment to the Institute

Sahelian Institute Presents Bamboo Products, Seeks VC’s Support for Greater Institutional Impact

 As VC proposes ₦10m Investment to the Institute

The Sahelian Institute for Bamboo Research and Entrepreneurship Development (SIBRED NG), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has paid a familiarization visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, during which it presented some of its research products and highlighted its achievements, challenges and prospects.

The visit took place on Friday, September 4, 2026, at the Vice-Chancellor’s Office.

In his opening address, the Director of the Institute, Dr. Ir John Agbo Ogbodo, congratulated the Vice-Chancellor on the successful completion of the session he met on ground and a full session he started, noting that September 2026 marked three years since the Institute commenced operations following its official approval on September 13, 2023, under the administration of Prof. Charles Esimone, which was subsequently ratified by the University Senate in the same month.

Dr. Ogbodo described SIBRED as the first university-based research institution of its kind in Africa, explaining that the inspiration for the establishment of the Institute came from Prof. Obi, who encouraged him, as a forester from the Faculty of Agriculture, todevelop  interest in bamboo research and development.

He recalled that his subsequent involvement in bamboo research earned him an appointment as a member of the Global Task Force on Sustainable Bamboo Management, representing Nigeria, with its headquarters in China. He also became involved in bamboo value-chain development between Nigeria and China and was contracted to develop voluntary guidelines for planted and natural bamboo, which he successfully completed.

According to him, following a presentation he made in Ghana in 2020, he returned and formally proposed the establishment of a bamboo research institute in the University, leading to the eventual birth of SIBRED at Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

Dr. Ogbodo said the Institute had remained active since its inauguration, particularly in building international partnerships. 

He disclosed that China had shown considerable interest in the Institute, resulting in a partnership that had already benefited members of the University, including Temple Nwankwo and Prof. Obi, who had travelled to China for further studies in bamboo value-chain development.

Dr Ogbodo noted that the Institute had numerous members and partners, including the Honourable Minister of Environment, who serves as its Co-Chairman.

Highlighting the uniqueness of bamboo and its potential contribution to the University, Dr. Ogbodo disclosed that the Institute had undertaken several research projects, some of which had been published while others were still undergoing processing. These, he said, included research into the conversion of bamboo into fibre, the promotion of bamboo plantation establishment, production of bamboo charcoal and bamboo ash for soap production, among others.

He emphasized the enormous economic potential of bamboo, stressing that the University could generate substantial revenue by investing strategically in bamboo-related ventures across its value chain.

Dr Ogbodo, highlighted the institute's research into the conversion of bamboo into commercially useful products, including organic soap made from bamboo fibre, charcoal, ash, and leaf extract, as well as aftershave.

He said the institute's products had attracted interest from different parts of the country, with enquiries and orders coming from Lagos, Edo, Delta and Enugu.

The Director said bamboo-based enterprises had significant revenue-generating potential for the university, citing soap production as one area where relatively modest investment could generate substantial returns.

He also disclosed that SIBRED had pursued research funding for the use of bamboo-derived biochar in the phytoremediation of crude oil-polluted land in the Niger Delta.

The Director, however, appealed to the Vice-Chancellor to intervene in some of the challenges confronting the Institute. He specifically mentioned the leaking roof of its present office and appealed to the Vice-Chancellor to reconsider plans to subsume the Institute under a Directorate of Entrepreneurship.

He argued that allowing SIBRED to operate as an independent research institute would enable it to maximize the benefits of its international partnerships and collaborations.

Responding, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, appreciated the Institute for its work and the efforts being made in bamboo research and entrepreneurship development.

The Vice Chancellor disclosed the university's readiness through the Advancement Board to invest ₦10 million in viable bamboo enterprises to support its research and commercial activities.

He said the proposed investment would be made once the institute's operations were properly integrated into the university's system, with revenue generated from its commercial activities channelled into the institution.

He explained that profits from the investment could be paid into the university's Endowment Fund, while part of the proceeds could subsequently be used to support further research and innovation.

Professor Anyaehie stressed the need for transparency and accountability in the running of institutes within the university noting that UNIZIK must benefit from commercial activities carried out under its name.

He directed that the institute's financial account be regularised and brought under the control of the university while the governing board of SIBRED would be formally inaugurated to ensure proper oversight of its activities.

The Vice-Chancellor commended the institute's research efforts but insisted that its activities must be properly integrated into the university's financial and administrative structure to ensure that the institution derives commensurate benefits from the enterprise.

The Vice-Chancellor further directed that the follow-up and supervision of the Institute's activities be delegated to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Alex Asigbo  He thanked the delegation for the visit and encouraged the Institute to align its activities more closely with the University's broader development objectives.

The Founding Director, Dr. Ogbodo  appreciated those present during the meeting including  the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Hilda Osisioma; Professor Alex Chinwuba Asigbo - Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic),  Dr. Chinenye Gloria Okeke – UNIZIK Registrar  Mr. Gozie Chukwuma Egwuatu - Bursar, UNIZIK ,  Professor Jude Kennedy Emejulu - Provost, College of Health Sciences, UNIZIK, Professor Ejeatuluchukwu Obi – Co-Initiator, SIBRED and Deputy Provost, College of Health Sciences, UNIZIK,  Professor Kingsley Ikechukwu Ubaoji - Immediate Past Chairman, ASUU-UNIZIK and Dean of Student Affairs, UNIZIK , Associate Professor Nnedinma Adaeze Achugbu – Deputy Director, SIBRED,  Mrs. Tochukwu Chukwuma – Head of Entrepreneurship, SIBRED,  Alfred Ajayi – Head of Media, SIBRED and Senior Correspondent, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Isa Musa – Head of Administration, SIBRED, Dr. Eucharia Obidiebube – Chairperson, SIBRED 3rd Anniversary Committee and Immediate Past Head, Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, UNIZIK,  Dr. Obianefo A. Chukwujekwu – SIBRED Research Associate (Bamboo Commodity Economics and Policy), SIBRED Partners including Chigozie Stephen and Ifeanyi Adigwe  and Comrade Aloysius E Attah - Director, Information and Public Relations , UNIZIK.

The engagement further demonstrates the Vice-Chancellor’s commitment to research, innovation and the transformation of academic knowledge into meaningful impact for society through centres like SIBRED.