TECH-U Unveils Smart Solutions for Fuel Adulteration and Fake Electric Poles

Wafricnews - June 27, 2025

Ibadan, Nigeria — Researchers at the Abiola Ajimobi Technical University (TECH-U) have made landmark breakthroughs to confront two stubborn problems threatening Nigerian lives and livelihoods: fuel adulteration and the proliferation of substandard concrete electric poles.

In what the university described as a bold leap for homegrown science and technology, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adesola Ajayi, announced the new inventions as a testament to TECH-U’s growing strength in impactful, solution-driven research.

One of the inventions, a Smart Tracking System for Substandard Concrete Electric Poles, received official patent recognition from the Federal Government on April 22, 2025. This system combines civil engineering expertise with digital innovation to monitor electric poles in real time, helping to identify and stop the use of poor-quality poles that could collapse, cause injuries, or disrupt electricity supply.

The project was spearheaded by Dr. Gideon Bamigboye of the Civil Engineering Department, working with a multi-disciplinary team including Dr. Jide Akinsola (Computer Science), Dr. Luqman Oloore (Physics and Science Laboratory Technology), Dr. Abraham Aworinde (Electrical and Biomedical Engineering), and Dr. Folasade Afolabi (Food Science and Technology).

In a second major milestone, TECH-U scientists rolled out a Self-Monitoring and Reporting Technology (SMART) fuel quality detection device, designed to expose and curb the persistent menace of petrol adulteration across the country.

These groundbreaking developments, Professor Ajayi noted, underline TECH-U’s role in delivering practical research that can transform lives, strengthen infrastructure, and protect consumers.