While biodiesel has potential in resolving current energy crisis, its production is hamperedby both feedstock and catalyst availability. The aim of this study is to investigate theproduction of biodiesel from waste vegetable oil (WVO) characterised by high free fatty acid(FFA) as feedstock with heterogeneous catalysis via transesterification reaction. Thecatalyst used was obtained from eggshell calcined at 800 C. The properties of the catalystwere assessed using XRD, XRF, BET and SEM. The catalyst prepared was characterised tohave large pore diameter of 91.2 A and high surface area of 30.7 m2 g1. The optimisationstudy was carried out by using a central composite response surface methodology withreaction conditions of methanol to oil ratio, catalyst loading and reaction temperature. Theresult showed at 95% confidence level that all the three factors affected the methyl esteryield. Significant yield of 91% was obtained at optimal operating conditions of temperature(65 ± 5 C), methanol to oil molar ratio (22.5:1) reaction time (5 h 30 min) and catalystloading (3.5 wt%). The catalyst showed sustained activity after being recycled and reusedfor 10 times. The properties of the biodiesel produced were within the biodiesel standardspecifications