As nations search for new engines of growth, science and technology are emerging as the foundation of sustainable development. Nigeria, with i
As nations search for new engines of growth, science and technology are emerging as the foundation of sustainable development. Nigeria, with its wealth of resources and scientific talent, still relies heavily on imports for healthcare, energy, and defence-leaving critical sectors vulnerable. In this interview with OJO SOLA, Engr. REUBEN KABANTIYOK, Metallurgical and Materials Engineer, and PhD researcher at the University of Tulsa, stated that this dependence is both a warning and an opportunity. To him, Nigeria can harness materials research and nanotechnology not only to address local challenges but also to secure lasting strategic independence.
Excerpts:
Engr. Kabantiyok, you’ve argued that no nation can rise above the quality of its science and technology. Why is this especially urgent for Nigeria today?
Because our dependence is costly. Nigeria imports nearly 90% of its medical devices, most of its renewable energy systems, and all of its advanced defence materials. This makes us vulnerable. For example, during COVID-19, I led a team of engineers and scientist to build a mechanical ventilator prototype, but we lacked the infrastructure to mass-produce them.
Compare that with South Africa, which was able to quickly adapt its nanotechnology centers to produce diagnostic tools and sanitization solutions. Remaining consumers of technology means we will always be reactive, never proactive.
Nanotechnology often sounds abstract or futuristic. How do you explain it in simple terms?
Think of it this way: if you reduce ordinary table salt to the nanoscale, it can behave differently, sometimes more reactive, sometimes more stable. Nanotechnology is about controlling materials at the atomic and molecular scale. At that level, steel can become lighter but stronger; drugs can target only cancer cells instead of harming the whole body; and solar panels can absorb far more energy than conventional ones.
India’s perovskite solar research is a good example, it has cut costs dramatically and improved efficiency. These are tangible, everyday impacts. Nanotechnology when applied through materials research, can transform how we fight diseases, generate energy, and protect our nationLet’s take healthcare first.
What possibilities do you see for Nigeria?
Nigeria is facing rising cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer rates. Right now, our stents, implants, and diagnostic devices are imported. But using materials like Nitinol, which is already transforming heart care globally, we could produce stents locally that are customized for our physiology. In Brazil, for example, researchers developed biodegradable polymer stents that cut costs by half compared to imports.
With nanotechnology, we could also develop targeted malaria treatments or lab-on-chip diagnostic kits for rural clinics. Imagine a handheld device that tests for malaria or diabetes in minutes; those exist elsewhere, and we can build them here if given the right support.
What about energy; an area where Nigeria still struggles with access and reliability?
It’s sad that over 85 million Nigerians lack reliable power. Yet, we have abundant sunlight and agricultural byproducts. Nanotechnology can help us build more efficient solar panels using local perovskites, just as India has done to drive down solar costs. Researchers have demonstrated that carbon-rich waste like rice husks or cassava peels or sugarcane waste can be converted into materials for energy. With nano-enhanced coatings and better batteries, those systems could power schools and hospitals for decades instead of just a few years.
Defence has always been a sensitive topic. How can materials research help Nigeria here?
No country is secure if it relies entirely on imports for defence. India has invested in lightweight armor composites and radar-absorbing coatings. In Nigeria, we could do the same with local coconut fibers, snail shells, or recycled steels.
With nanotechnology, we could design corrosion-resistant coatings for naval equipment in the Niger Delta or smart sensors to detect sabotage in oil. These are not distant possibilities; they are practical innovations other countries are already implementing.
You’ve mentioned India, Brazil, and South Africa as examples. What lessons can Nigeria learn from them?
The key lesson is intentionality. India created a dedicated nanotechnology mission. Brazil tied research to its industries, ensuring lab work became products. South Africa invested in nanotechnology for water purification and health, linking research directly to social needs.
Nigeria has the talent and raw materials; we only lack the structured investment and national strategy. If we commit, we can not only match these nations but also lead in areas where our resources give us an edge.
If you could set three immediate priorities for Nigeria, what would they be?
First, establish dedicated funding for materials research and nanoscience centers. Second, create policy incentives for local industries to partner with researchers. And third, craft a national strategy that ties science directly to economic and security priorities.
Without these steps, our brightest scientists will keep leaving for opportunities abroad. With them, Nigeria can retain its talent, solve its own problems, and become a leader in Africa’s innovation ecosystem.
Finally, what is your message to policymakers and the Nigerian public?
Our future cannot be built on imports alone. Countries that invest in science are the ones shaping the future. Nigeria has everything it needs; talent, materials, and critical needs that demand innovation. If we harness materials research and nanotechnology today, we can create affordable healthcare devices, reliable energy solutions, and indigenous defence technologies. If we are serious about building a healthy, secure, and self-reliant Nigeria, the time to act is now.
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