Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation with a population count projected to surge to over 377 million by 2050. Yet, the country’s energy sector is in a crisis. Electricity supply is low making Nigeria one of the most underpowered nations in the world. This deficit in electricity supply continues to hinder development across major sectors of the economy. In developed countries, access to electricity is known to facilitate job creation, improve security, industrialisation and healthcare. Electricity access has also been an essential tool in the fight against poverty, yet Nigeria grapples with this.
To address Nigeria’s urgent electricity challenges , Emmanuel Aanu Ajayi, an active member of the Green Growth Africa Community and a 300 level student of Kwara State University, invented a solar power station. SUNPOD as Emmanuel calls it is a portable and affordable solar power station designed to deliver clean and reliable energy for individuals, communities and businesses.
Recently, Emmanuel’s SUNPOD, just like the beaming energy from the sun, shone in the 2024 Engineering Project Exhibition Competition (EPEX). His project came top among other projects by students of various universities making Emmanuel clinch the top prize of one million naira.
Announcing his win with the Green Growth Africa community, the Green Growth Africa team had a chat with Emmanuel to talk about his innovation SUNPOD which clearly aligns with Green Growth and sustainable development. Take a dive into our interesting chat with Emmanuel.
Hi Emmanuel, can you introduce yourself?
My name is Emmanuel Aanu Ajayi, a 300-level Electrical and Computer Engineering student at Kwara State University. I am a multi-award winner, changemaker, and student advocate, actively contributing to positive changes in my community and beyond. As a member of the Africa Young Scientists, I engage in advancing scientific knowledge and innovation across the continent. Serving as a panelist for the California Youth Leadership Summit, I engage with global leaders on critical issues. Additionally, I am a Youth Impact Centre fellow where I focus on sustainable development and the role of youth in driving social change.
Why Electrical and Computer Engineering?
I chose to study Electrical and Computer Engineering because of my passion for solving Nigeria’s electricity challenges. With the highest number of people living without electricity, Nigeria faces significant obstacles to development. This field allows me to work on innovative technologies that can improve lives and address critical issues. My goal is to create sustainable solutions that provide reliable power, enhance education, support businesses, and promote community development, ultimately contributing to Nigeria’s progress and prosperity.
What inspired you to create SUNPOD, and how did you come up with the idea?
I was inspired to create SUNPOD: A SOLAR POWER STATION due to the urgent need to address Nigeria’s electricity problems, which has been hindering our development as a nation. I was able to come up with the idea based on my deep research and critical thinking skills as an engineering student which led to the innovation of SUNPOD. Winning the Kwara State University Undergraduate Research Grant and an additional ₦1 million naira grant provided me with initial support for my project. SUNPOD is designed as a portable, solar power station to deliver clean and reliable energy for individuals, communities and businesses. While these grants kickstarted development, I am actively seeking more collaborations and funding to expand SUNPOD’s impact and bring sustainable electricity to more communities in Nigeria. I remain open to additional partnerships and funding opportunities to develop more further projects aimed at solving our country’s pressing challenges.
Can you explain the features and benefits of SUNPOD, and how it addresses electricity challenges in Nigeria?
SUNPOD is a solar power system designed to provide clean and reliable electricity which can be charged through solar panels and electricity. It features high-efficiency solar panels, a robust battery storage system, and an intelligent energy management system which has the capacity to charge every electrical gadgets and power on bulbs. The benefits of SUNPOD include:
- Providing a sustainable and renewable energy source
- Reducing dependency on petrol fuels and decreasing carbon emissions
- Offering a reliable power supply for households, schools, and businesses
- Enhancing energy access in villages and underserved communities
It addresses electricity challenges in Nigeria by offering a reliable power source for diverse applications with demonstrating its value in improving energy access and fostering sustainable development.
How has Green Growth Africa contributed to your project’s success?
I want to use this medium to sincerely appreciate Sir Adedoyin Adeleke and to the entire team at Green Growth Africa. His support and guidance have been helpful in helping me win the EPEX competition.
Learning from Adedoyin Adeleke, PhD about green growth and sustainable development was contributory for me in shaping the vision and execution of SUNPOD. His insights into the principles of sustainable energy, innovation, development and implementation of ‘greened’ socio-economic development solutions to address Africa’s development challenges and benefits of green technologies provided a solid foundation for my project. This knowledge helped me design SUNPOD for a technological solution and as a tool for driving sustainable development in our country.
What were some of the challenges you faced during the project, and how did you overcome them?
Some of the challenges I faced during the development of SUNPOD included:
- Technical difficulties in optimising the efficiency and durability of the solar panels and battery system
- Financial constraints in sourcing high-quality materials and components
- Logistical challenges in reaching remote communities for deployment and maintenance
I overcame these challenges through persistent research and development, securing grants and partnerships to fund the project, and collaborating with local organizations to ensure effective implementation and support.
How do you envision SUNPOD impacting communities in Nigeria and beyond?
I envision SUNPOD having a transformative impact on our communities in Nigeria and beyond by:
- Providing reliable electricity to improve quality of life and economic opportunities
- Supporting education by powering schools and enabling digital learning
- Enhancing healthcare services with a stable power supply for medical facilities
- Promoting environmental sustainability by reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources like petrol, kerosene and diesel
What does this win mean to you, and how will it influence your future endeavors?
Winning ₦1 million grant for SUNPOD is a significant milestone and a validation of my dedication to creating impactful solutions. This achievement serves as a profound motivation to my persistence in developing innovative projects that can contribute to sustainable development in Nigeria. This win honors my efforts and also opens doors to additional funding, collaboration opportunities, and the potential to scale up my impact. It strengthens my resolve to continue pushing forward despite the challenges our country faces, reaffirming my belief that with determination and innovation, anything is possible in driving positive change.
How do you think green growth and sustainable development can be promoted in Africa, especially in the energy sector?
I think promoting green growth and sustainable development in Africa, particularly in the energy sector, requires the government to invest in renewable energy technologies and infrastructure to reduce reliance on hydrocarbon fuels and reduce environmental hazards. Implementing supportive policies and regulations that encourage green innovations, educating communities about the benefits of adopting sustainable practices, and fostering partnerships between governments, the private sector, and civil society are crucial. Additionally, the Nigerian Government should sponsor higher institution students passionate about green sustainable development growth in the energy sector on short study programs to top countries of the world that have vast investments in their renewable energy. This initiative would allow the students to acquire advanced knowledge and skills, which they can then apply to enhance Nigeria’s energy sector upon their return.
What advice would you give to young innovators and engineers working on green projects?
My advice to young innovators, students, and engineers working on green projects is for them not to be discouraged by the lack of support and funding in the country. Instead, they should use these challenges as opportunities to innovate and excel in their work. They should collaborate with organizations like Green Growth Africa, which focus on sustainable energy and development, to leverage on their diverse knowledge, skills, and perspectives and to seek guidance from professors and experts in green projects field, as their insights and contributions will significantly contribute to the project success. They should Focus on creating practical and innovative solutions that address the current needs in Nigeria. And Lastly, they should trust in God’s guidance and provision not to depend on their knowledge believing that He will ensure success in their green projects.
What’s next for SUNPOD – any plans for further development or implementation?
My next steps for SUNPOD include further development to enhance its features and efficiency, exploring mass production to reduce costs, and expanding it’s reach to more communities in Nigeria. I plan to conduct more field trials to gather feedback and make necessary improvements. Additionally, I aim to partner with government agencies, Africa Union, Ecowas NGOs, and private companies to scale the deployment of SUNPOD across Nigeria and other parts of Africa.
Lastly, talking about getting support from mentors and seeking funding for green related projects, have you downloaded the Green Growth DigiHub App?
Absolutely!
Can you tell us a bit about what you know about Green Growth DigiHub?
It’s an online networking and convergence space for Green Growth stakeholders across Africa. Kudos to Green Growth Africa for this outstanding innovation as it fills a significant gap and provides a unique, comprehensive platform for gren growth initiatives.
Would you advice young innovators like yourself to use the Green Growth DigiHub?
Absolutely. I recommend and strongly advise young innovators likemyself to download the Green Growth DigiHub. It is a game-changer for anyone working on green projects.
Thank you very much Emmanuel for the kind recommendation
Thank you too. You are welcome.
