African leaders urged to invest in research facilities

A Nigerian-born scientist, Dr. Raphael Oluwatoyin Ogabi, has called on African governments to increase investment in modern research facilities and the welfare of scientists to unlock the continent’s innovation potential. Ogabi, who is leading wildfire research in the United States as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Massachusetts, warned that without such investment, […]

A Nigerian-born scientist, Dr. Raphael Oluwatoyin Ogabi, has called on African governments to increase investment in modern research facilities and the welfare of scientists to unlock the continent’s innovation potential.

Ogabi, who is leading wildfire research in the United States as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Massachusetts, warned that without such investment, Africa risks losing its brightest minds to brain drain.

In an online interview with journalists, the Lagos-born scientist explained that his team is using advanced tools such as LiDAR scans, heat flux, and infrared cameras to reconstruct fire patterns and trace the origins of wildfires, which have become increasingly destructive in North America, Europe, and parts of Africa.

“Without proper infrastructure and support, it is difficult to produce groundbreaking results. Countries like China and India are succeeding because they invest both in infrastructure and their scientists. Nigeria must do the same to drive innovation and attract talent back home,” he said.

Ogabi, who earned his PhD in Energy from INSA Centre Val de Loire, France, identified two pressing challenges in Nigeria’s research sector: the absence of state-of-the-art facilities and poor welfare for scientists.

He also emphasized the importance of collaboration between universities, industries, and government agencies, saying stronger partnerships are essential to advancing the frontiers of research. “For Nigeria, as the giant of Africa, the lesson is clear: fostering partnerships between universities, research bodies, regulatory authorities, and industries is essential for true national development,” he added.

Ogabi, a former Principal Research Officer at the Nigerian Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Kaduna, has also pioneered eco-friendly, fire-safe composites for use in construction, defense, and aerospace industries. He said his work demonstrates that sustainability and safety can coexist.

Beyond research infrastructure, he encouraged young African scientists to remain resilient despite challenges. “The world is waiting for your ideas. Find a problem your skills can solve, remain consistent, and keep building networks. What you are searching for is also searching for you,” he advised.

Ogabi has won multiple recognitions, including the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) scholarship and the Best Paper Award at Imperial College London. He said research holds the power to protect lives, safeguard the environment, and inspire the next generation.