Ammar Bello, a development administration researcher at Northeastern College, USA, has recognized the usage of agro-waste supplies as a breakthrough alternative within the race towards greener, extra sustainable development in Africa and different creating areas.
In a current peer-reviewed examine revealed in March 2025, within the Worldwide Journal of Innovation and Industrial Revolution and earlier offered on the seventh Worldwide Analysis Convention on Multidisciplinary in Social Sciences and Expertise in December 2024, Bello and his co-author, Shamsuddeen Yusuf Umar, explored the untapped potential of groundnut shells and different agricultural by-products as sustainable substitutes for standard constructing supplies like cement, advantageous aggregates, and insulation supplies.
Based on the examine, agro-waste supplies not solely supply environmental advantages by decreasing embodied carbon and development waste but additionally assist decrease prices considerably — a welcome growth for areas battling excessive development bills and restricted materials availability. “The development sector continues to exert stress on finite pure sources,” Bello mentioned. “We want different supplies which are ample, inexpensive, and able to delivering structural and thermal efficiency, and agro-waste presents a viable resolution.”
The examine discovered that when processed appropriately, supplies like groundnut shell ash (GSA) meet lots of the technical and chemical standards required for efficient use in light-weight blocks, thermal insulation, and cementitious functions. GSA, with silica content material starting from 16% to 51%, was proven to contribute to power growth in concrete and promote power financial savings by insulation properties.Nevertheless, the researchers additionally highlighted regulatory and technical gaps that have to be addressed for widespread adoption. “The shortage of standardized tips and the variability in agro-waste materials high quality stay challenges, however these are surmountable with focused coverage and continued innovation,” Bello famous.
The analysis underscores that adopting agro-waste development supplies might help rural economies by creating new markets for farmers, whereas additionally serving to to curb greenhouse gasoline emissions linked to conventional materials processing. By decreasing the demand for river sand, cement, and different extractive inputs, the examine means that agro-waste utilization aligns with each environmental and financial growth targets.
The report additionally emphasised potential functions of agro-waste in ceiling tiles, wall insulation, bricks, and reinforcement parts, noting profitable worldwide case research involving palm shells, coconut coir, rice husk, and oyster shells. Bello mentioned the combination of those supplies might cut back development prices by as much as 30% in low-income housing schemes, particularly when mixed with trendy bio-composites and native labor methods.
In a associated examine titled “Inspecting the Relationship Between Street Building High quality and Site visitors Security Efficiency in Nigeria,” which he offered on the fifth Kuala Lumpur Worldwide Convention on Social Sciences, Schooling and Engineering in December 2024, Bello analyzed street infrastructure in Northern Nigeria and located a powerful correlation between substandard development supplies, poor workmanship, and elevated visitors accidents. That examine additionally really helpful stricter contractor oversight and the combination of predictive analytics in freeway danger administration.
Whereas praising rising consciousness round inexperienced constructing practices, Bello warned that international development should now transfer from consciousness to implementation, particularly in creating economies most susceptible to local weather affect. “That is about constructing good, sustainable, and inclusive. Agro-waste is now not only a waste drawback; it’s a useful resource alternative.”
As a part of ongoing efforts, Bello is engaged on a roadmap to advertise the usage of agro-residues in mainstream development by coverage engagement, area testing, and public-private collaboration. He hopes to pilot a few of these options by a deliberate U.S.-based consultancy devoted to AI-enhanced and sustainability-focused development improvements.
The examine acquired optimistic suggestions for its real-world relevance and sensible suggestions. It has already been acknowledged by the Nigerian Establishment of Civil Engineers (NICE), with Bello receiving a Nationwide Advantage Award and an extra regional award for his contributions to civil engineering coverage and public security.
