Mr Emmanuel Valentine achieved a cum laude result for an innovative master’s research project examining how treated domestic wastewater can be repurposed as a nutrient source in crop production to support more sustainable water and nutrient management practices.
Originally from Nigeria, Valentine completed his undergraduate studies in agricultural sciences at Kogi State University, now Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), graduating with a First Class Honours, the first student at PAAU to achieve this distinction since its founding in 1999.
Having been exposed to the realities of agriculture while growing up in the rural Opulega community in Kogi State, Nigeria, particularly among smallholder farmers who sometimes use unproductive traditional practices that can worsen food insecurity, Valentine was driven to explore crop science and solutions to improve African agricultural systems.
He enrolled at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) for master’s studies under the supervision of Professor Alfred Odindo and investigated the feasibility of using municipal anaerobic filter effluent as a fertigation source for soilless crop production, specifically in non-circulating hydroponic systems.
Valentine sought to address the critical challenges of water scarcity and nutrient sustainability, integrating wastewater reuse into hydroponic systems to advance the growing field of the circular nutrient economy and offer practical solutions for resource-efficient agriculture, particularly in water-limited environments.
Drawn to UKZN by its strong reputation in agricultural research and supportive environment for international students, Valentine found that the Institution provided a foundation for academic excellence as well as an intellectually stimulating community. The mentorship, access to research facilities, and collaborative learning environment enriched his academic and personal growth, helping him refine his scientific thinking and leadership capacity.
Valentine’s research has already resulted in four manuscripts, three published and one under review, with publication in a high-impact, Scopus-indexed journal prior to the completion of his master’s degree. He found that wastewater use can be optimised to support plant growth, nutrient uptake and physiological performance without compromising postharvest crop quality. He demonstrated that with proper management and supplementation, alternative nutrient sources such as treated effluent can play a significant role in sustainable crop production systems, a relevant insight in the context of climate change and increasingly constrained conventional agricultural inputs.
Transitioning into this highly specialised research area while maintaining high academic standards was challenging; however, being adaptable and managing his time well developed Valentine’s resilience. He served as a demonstrator for undergraduate students and worked in agri-tech product management roles at Babban Gona in Nigeria during his studies, and also served as Director of Events and Public Relations for the National Association of Nigerian Students in South Africa. He balanced these roles with discipline and found they enriched his studies with real-world leadership experience.
Valentine also founded the agribusiness platform Farm4Us, which leases underutilised arable land for sustainable crop production while supporting smallholder farmers with extension services and improved farming techniques in Nigeria. He managed this alongside his studies, strengthening his ability to balance responsibilities and reinforcing his commitment to impactful, research-driven solutions. He aims to upscale the platform’s impact to empower farmers through innovation, knowledge transfer and sustainable agricultural practices.
Valentine plans to progress to PhD studies, incorporating plant breeding and genetics to achieve crop improvement using genomic tools and bioinformatics. Ultimately, he hopes to contribute to the development of resilient, high-performing crop varieties, particularly for underutilised crops in arid and semi-arid regions.
Valentine thanked his family, especially his mother, Mrs Victoria Valentine, for her unwavering support and prayers. He also thanked Odindo for his mentorship and guidance, and Dr William Musazura, Dr Takudzwa Madizvo, and Mr Barnabas Oluoch for their support. He acknowledged his uncle, Professor Sunday Atawodi, and Professor Patrick Adejoh for their encouragement and guidance.
During his studies, Valentine received a Mandela Rhodes Scholarship, the UKZN Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Academic Excellence, the Research Impact Prize and the Third Prize for his oral presentation at the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science’s 2025 Postgraduate Research and Innovation Symposium, and the award for the top Crop Science postgraduate student in the School of Agriculture and Science.
Words: Christine Cuénod
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini