Nigerian Scientist Kelechi Okere Pioneers Revolutionary Waste-to-Resource Innovation in U.S. Energy Sector

Emmanuel Okonji

In a shining example of African excellence shaping global sustainability, Dr. Kelechi J. Okere, a Nigerian environmental scientist, is earning international recognition for his transformative role in a United States Department of Energy (DOE)-funded research project poised to revolutionize how municipal wastewater is managed across America.

Based at Clarkson University in New York, Dr. Okere is contributing his expertise to a groundbreaking initiative aimed at recovering vital nutrients from wastewater using optimized precipitation and bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED)—an innovation that could overhaul operations in more than 2,000 U.S. wastewater treatment facilities.

The project, funded through DOE Grant DE-EE009503, targets nutrient recovery from anaerobic digestion dewatering sidestreams, a typically overlooked byproduct of sludge processing. Through advanced experimentation and modeling, Dr. Okere and his research team have achieved over 90% phosphorus and 60% ammonia recovery using integrated technologies combining BMED, membrane stripping, and optimized struvite/hydroxyapatite precipitation.

What makes this development particularly groundbreaking is its energy efficiency. The system’s energy usage—under 10 kilowatt-hours per kilogram of nitrogen recovered—outperforms the traditional Haber-Bosch process used globally in fertilizer production.

Dr. Okere, a researcher at Clarkson’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, noted that the project has advanced beyond laboratory validation and is now entering the pilot-scale implementation phase. He emphasized that the innovation not only enhances water system cleanliness but also supports America’s climate and energy goals by reducing dependence on non-renewable phosphate, cutting operational costs, and mitigating eutrophication risks in freshwater ecosystems.

This cutting-edge technology aligns with the U.S. EPA Nutrient Pollution Strategy, the Department of Energy’s Water-Energy Nexus framework, and broader White House objectives for a circular economy and infrastructure renewal.

Originally from Owerri, Nigeria, Dr. Okere’s journey from the Niger Delta to the forefront of U.S. scientific innovation is a story of dedication and transcontinental impact. He earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Management from the University of Port Harcourt in 2020, graduating top of his class with Distinction. He also holds a Master’s degree from the University of Malaya in Malaysia and professional certifications from world-class institutions such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Imperial College London, and the Technical University of Denmark.

Dr. Okere previously served as Acting Head of the Department of Chemical Sciences at Hezekiah University in Nigeria. He has published over a dozen peer-reviewed papers on waste management, water pollution, climate mitigation, and the circular economy.

His earlier projects in Nigeria and Malaysia led to the reduction of more than 15,800 tons of CO₂ equivalent, 15% energy savings, and substantial cost efficiencies—saving over $2.5 million. These achievements earned him national commendations and multiple awards, including Clarkson University’s Research and Project Showcase (RAPS) Sustainability Prize in 2023 and 2025, the New York Center of Excellence for Healthy Water Solutions Fellowship (2024 & 2025), and Best Poster Presentation in environmental science research at RAPS (2024).

Dr. Okere’s work is more than a scientific milestone—it’s a scalable model for cities, governments, and academic institutions. With over 2,000 U.S. plants set to benefit, his innovation is gaining traction among engineering firms, water utilities, and environmental policy think tanks.

Importantly, this breakthrough holds immense promise for Nigeria and Africa, where waste-to-resource technologies are urgently needed. According to his mentor, Professor Gideon Abu, Dr. Okere represents a living blueprint of how South-North partnerships can fuel sustainable development.

Clarkson University offers research collaboration and graduate training opportunities that could help bridge technical gaps in Nigeria. Policymakers, universities, and environmental agencies are encouraged to engage Dr. Okere in piloting BMED and membrane stripping technologies in agro-waste, urban sewage, and food production clusters. His open-source publications offer valuable data that can reform curricula, guide regulations, and support industrial application.

A Fellow of the National Institution of Professional Engineers and Scientists (FNIPES) and an Eminent Fellow of the Scholars Academic & Scientific Society (SEFM), Dr. Okere remains connected to Nigeria through his adjunct faculty role at the University of Port Harcourt’s Institute of Natural Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development (INRES), where he teaches and mentors postgraduate students.

He also serves as a mentor with the Ohio Academy of Science and as a peer reviewer for leading environmental science journals around the world.

Looking ahead, Dr. Okere continues to advocate for science as a tool for equity, environmental justice, and innovation.

“This is about building smart cities, protecting our rivers, and empowering people with knowledge,” he said. “As a Nigerian, I believe in the power of cross-border innovation to solve global problems.”

Dr. Kelechi Okere is not just a brilliant scientist—he is a national asset to Nigeria and a transformative force in America’s clean energy and water future. His work proves that when talent meets opportunity, the results are not just measurable—they are monumental.