Dr. A.I Aigbedion

Dr. A.I Aigbedion

(ED, Rubber Research Institute, Iyanmon, Edo State.)

Potentials of Natural Rubber Resources in Nigeria

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Dr. Aireguamen I. Aigbodion is the Acting Executive Director, Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria. He attended University of Ife, Ile-Ife (Now Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU) where he obtained B.Sc. Chemistry in 1983; and University of Benin, Benin City where he obtained Ph. D degree Chemistry in 1995.

He joined the services of Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN) in 1987 as Research Officer Gd 1 and has over 30 years of experience in research into development, production and utilization of natural rubber and its bye-products. During these years, he has served at various management levels including Head, Research Operations where he coordinated all the research activities of the institute; Head, End-Use Department (1993-1996); Co-ordinator, Crop Processing and Utilisation R&D Department (1996-2001) where he took charge of development of value-added and industrially useful materials such as rubber seed oil modified alkyd resins used as binders for surface coatings, glazier putty, etc.; Programme Leader (Rubber Programme R&D) (2002 - 2004) in charge of coordination of all rubber research activities. He was also appointed Director (Research), Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) on Sabbatical Leave (2012-2013) where he worked on utilization of palm oil mill effluent (POME) in the production of renewable energy (biogas) through enhancement of microbial population and efficiency of selected isolates (methanogens).

He also held several administrative as well as academic/research positions in and outside the Institute including Chairman & Member, Institute Management Committee; Chairman, Senior Staff promotion committee (2013-2014); Chairman, Administrative Panel of Inquiry into the Suspected Financial Irregularities at the RRIN Substation, Akwete (2006); Chairman, Committee on Verification of Completion of Capital Projects (2006); Chairman, Verification of ED’s Hand-over note (2010 & 2003); Chairman, Board of Survey on Unserviceable Stores (2001 & 2009); Chairman, Committee on Transportation(1997-1998); Chairman, Administrative Investigation Panel on the loss of the Institute’s money (1997); Secretary, Committee on the Centenary Celebration of the Introduction of Natural Rubber into Nigeria (1995); Chairman, Seminar Committee (2007-2015); Chairman, Local Organizing Committee, Annual Chemtech Conference (IYANOMO 2007). Chairman, Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN), Edo Chapter (2007-2012); and Referee, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Journal of Raw Materials Research, Journal of the Chemical Society of Nigeria, ChemTech Journal, etc. He served as Liaison Officer/Co-ordinator for Africa under auspices of International Rubber Research and Development Board from 2012-2014 where he coordinated activities on rubber production in Nigeria, Cameroon, Cote d ‘Voire, Gabon, Liberia and participated in the preparation of the 5-year strategic plan for rubber production in Africa by IRRDB member counties in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2013).

Dr. Aigbodion is a recipient of some grants, awards and honours such as: World Bank Assisted National Agricultural Research Project Research Grant Scheme (1995); Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) Research Grant (1997 & 2000); Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Research Grant (2004); Postdoctoral Fellowship at Regional Research Laboratory, Trivandrum, India by TWAS & Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-Government of India) (1998/1999); TWASA-UNESCO Associateship Fellowship Scheme at Centre of Excellence in the South at Planta Piloto de Ingenieria Quimica (PLAPIQUI-CONICET) - Pilot Plant for Chemical Engineering, Bahia Blanca, Argentina (2005); and Commendations by Management of RRIN (1996 & 2005).

He has attended many local and international conferences including International Rubber Conference, IRC (Thailand, 2011; India, 2005 & 2012; London, 2013; Vietnam, 2014 & Philippine, 2015); IRRDB Technology Seminar, Beruwala, Sri Lanka (1996); International Conference of Chemistry in Africa, Accra, Ghana (1995); International Symposium on Polymer Science and Technology (MACRO 2015), Kolkata, India; Fourth International Conference on Polymer Modification, Degradation and Stabilization, San Sebastian, Spain (2006). He has contributed over 55 articles in peer reviewed journals and over 60 conference papers; and four (4) technical reports.

He is a Fellow of the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN); Fellow of Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON); Fellow of Polymer Institute of Nigeria (PIN); Member of American Oil Chemists Society (AOCS); and Member of Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN). He is happily married and blessed with children.

E-mail: aigbodionai@yahoo.com OR aireguamen@gmail.com