THE recent invention of a fuel-less electricity generating plant by the Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, is a remarkable achievement that should be celebrated not just by the academic community but by the entire nation. The Polytechnic’s Rector, Prof. Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, rightly emphasized the institution’s commitment to its mandate of developing technology that solves societal problems and fosters entrepreneurship. This groundbreaking invention, developed by a team of engineers at the polytechnic, is a significant stride towards addressing Nigeria’s chronic energy challenges. The 2.5KVA fuel-less generator, which is self-sustaining and requires neither solar nor fossil fuel, represents a potential revolution in the power sector—a sector that has long been a stumbling block to Nigeria’s economic growth and industrialization.
This invention could not have come at a better time. Nigeria’s energy sector has been plagued by inefficiencies and failures that have hampered economic development, stifled industrial growth, and left millions of Nigerians in perpetual darkness. For decades, the promise of stable electricity has remained elusive, with citizens and businesses forced to rely on costly and environmentally harmful fossil fuel generators. The fuel-less generator from Delta State Polytechnic offers a glimpse of hope—a sustainable, innovative solution that could alleviate the power woes that have beset the nation.
However, this development also brings to light a glaring issue: the chronic underperformance of Nigeria’s higher institutions in the realm of research and innovation. For far too long, our universities and polytechnics have been criticized for producing research that has little to no impact on the society they are meant to serve. The essence of tertiary institutions is to advance knowledge, drive innovation, and solve real-world problems. Unfortunately, this mandate has been largely unfulfilled, with most institutions churning out graduates ill-prepared to tackle the challenges facing the nation, let alone create groundbreaking technologies.
The invention of the fuel-less generator is a stark reminder of what can be achieved when our institutions rise to the occasion. It is a call to action for all higher institutions in the country to refocus their energies on research that addresses the myriad problems plaguing Nigeria. We cannot afford to have our laboratories filled with potential innovations that never see the light of day due to a lack of support, funding, or commercialization pathways.
This brings us to the role of private individuals and captains of industry. Too often, Nigeria’s business elite and industrialists look beyond our borders to source solutions, importing substandard products from countries like China instead of investing in homegrown innovations. This trend must change. The private sector has a crucial role to play in the commercialization of inventions like the fuel-less generator. By providing financial backing, technical expertise, and market access, they can help transform these innovations from prototypes into products that can be mass-produced and widely distributed, driving economic growth and creating jobs in the process.
The fuel-less generator from Delta State Polytechnic is a testament to the ingenuity that exists within our borders. It is a beacon of hope in a landscape that has long been marred by technological stagnation. If properly explored and heavily invested in, this invention could solve many of Nigeria’s energy challenges, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and paving the way for a more sustainable future.
We salute the brilliance and dedication of the students and management of Delta State Polytechnic. Their achievement is a reminder that Nigeria’s future is bright if we invest in our own people and our own ideas. It is now up to the government, the private sector, and all stakeholders to ensure that this innovation does not remain a mere prototype, but becomes a cornerstone of Nigeria’s energy solution.
