YABATECH Research Director Bags SETPOM 2026 Fellow Award
The Director of the Centre for Research Support and Grants Management at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr Funmilayo Doherty, has received the 2026 Fellow Award of the Society for Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Mitigation (SETPOM) in recognition of her outstanding contributions to environmental skills development and sustainable livelihoods.
Doherty was also conferred with the title of Fellow of SETPOM, with the designation FEnv, at the society’s three-day international conference held at the University of Lagos on October 27, 2026.
The recognition highlights her contributions to environmental sustainability, skills development and initiatives aimed at creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Expressing appreciation for the honour, Doherty reaffirmed her commitment to advancing environmental sustainability, strengthening skills development and expanding opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
The conference, themed “Driving Environmental Security, Innovation, and Resilience through AI, Research, Industry, and Regulation for Global Livelihoods,” brought together stakeholders from academia, industry and other sectors to examine emerging environmental challenges and explore innovative approaches to pollution control and ecosystem protection.
Speaking at the conference, SETPOM President, Dr Idowu Aneyo, called on Nigeria to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning into environmental management to strengthen pollution monitoring, protect biodiversity and improve ecosystem resilience.
Aneyo, a lecturer in the Department of Zoology at the University of Lagos, said AI-driven technologies could analyse large volumes of environmental data, identify pollution patterns and predict ecological disruptions before they occur.
She explained that adopting such technologies would support timely interventions, minimise damage to fragile ecosystems and promote evidence-based environmental management.
The SETPOM president stressed that technological innovation must be complemented by effective regulation and public cooperation to achieve meaningful environmental protection.
She observed that although the Lagos State Government was making efforts to enforce environmental regulations, individual responsibility and public acceptance of sustainable practices remained essential.
Also speaking, environmental activist and Chairman of the Lekki State Urban Forest and Animal Shelter Initiative (LUFASI), Dr Desmond Majekodunmi, warned that rising sea levels and climate change could threaten parts of Lagos by 2050 if urgent measures were not taken.
He attributed environmental degradation to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, pollution and biodiversity loss, warning that these factors could worsen flooding, coastal erosion and extreme weather events.
Majekodunmi called for collective action by individuals, industries, educational institutions and governments, advocating increased investment in renewable energy, recycling, improved waste management and scientific research.
He identified solar, wind and water-based energy as cleaner alternatives that could help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate the effects of climate change.
In his remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Lagos, Prof. Ganiu Oyechibo, said human activities had severely damaged natural resources and disrupted ecological balance.
Oyechibo, a professor of Geo-Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology, called for a systematic assessment of environmental damage and the development of practical solutions to preserve natural resources for future generations.
The conference also featured a green essay competition for junior and senior secondary school students to promote environmental awareness among young people.
In the junior category, Oyenike Adeyemi of Methodist Girls High School emerged winner, while Faridah Moshood of Daltha High School came second and Fathia Zubair of Nurul-Islam Comprehensive High School placed third.
In the senior category, Atoyebi Halimat of Dowen College emerged winner, followed by Adewumi Princess of Methodist Girls High School and Kamal Adabale of Crescent High School.
Doherty’s recognition represents a notable professional honour for YABATECH and reinforces the importance of research, environmental sustainability, skills development and innovative approaches to addressing societal challenges.
As Director of the College’s Centre for Research Support and Grants Management, her recognition also provides an opportunity to underscore the importance of research-driven solutions, professional collaboration and sustainable development in advancing environmental protection and improving livelihoods.
