Nigerian Scientist’s Breakthrough Could Revolutionize Lithium-Ion Batteries

By Tosin Clegg

Dr. Fatile Babajide Oluwagbenga, a Nigerian materials engineer and recent PhD graduate from Concordia University in Montreal, has made a significant scientific contribution to the future of lithium-ion battery technology. His doctoral research focused on developing high-performance anode materials from niobium-based oxide nanowires, an alternative to traditional graphite anodes, which could lead to safer, more efficient batteries for the rapidly growing energy storage and electric vehicle markets.

The thesis, titled “Fabrication Characteristics and Performance Enhancement of Nb18W16O93 and MoNb12O33 Nanowires for Lithium-Ion Batteries Application”, tackled one of the most pressing limitations in current battery technology: the low energy density and safety concerns of graphite, which is the industry standard for anodes.

Dr. Fatile fabricated advanced nanowire-based anode materials, specifically, niobium tungsten oxide (Nb18W16O93) and niobium molybdenum oxide (MoNb12O33), using the electrospinning method. These nanowires demonstrated significant improvements in structural stability, power density, and environmental friendliness. Recognizing that poor electronic conductivity often limits the practical use of such materials, Dr. Fatile employed nickel doping and hydrogenation techniques to substantially enhance their electrochemical performance. Notably, his nickel-doped nanowires demonstrated an exceptional capacity retention of over 500 charge cycles, a result that directly addresses the demand for long-lasting, fast-charging batteries. In a parallel study, the hydrogen-treated MoNb12O33 nanowires exhibited significant improvements in lithium-ion mobility, coulombic efficiency, and cycle life, which are key metrics for commercial adoption.

Speaking about the broader implications of his work, Dr. Fatile offered a pointed recommendation to the Nigerian government: invest in local lithium-ion battery production. He believes his work has practical applications that can directly benefit his home country. “Nigeria is sitting on a goldmine of lithium and other critical minerals,” he says. “We need to stop being just raw material exporters. The next step is to build capacity for lithium-ion battery manufacturing.”

He’s urging the Nigerian government to take swift, decisive action. This includes investing in materials research, establishing pilot battery production facilities, and nurturing technical talent through partnerships with universities and research centres. In his view, lithium-ion battery technology is not just about mobile phones or electric cars. It’s about national energy security, job creation, and sustainable development.
“Nigeria has the mineral resources; what we need now is clear policy direction and infrastructure. Let’s learn from countries like Indonesia or Chile, which have actively invested in battery production using their domestic resources,” Dr. Fatile adds.

With the global shift toward renewable energy gaining momentum, the demand for lithium and advanced battery materials is surging. As countries compete to secure supply chains and localize production, Nigeria’s chance to play a central role, including as a manufacturer rather than just a supplier, is diminishing. He highlights that Nigeria has the potential to become a key player in the battery supply chain, a market expected to surpass $100 billion annually by 2030.

He hopes that the Nigerian government, universities, and private sector stakeholders will not only celebrate the achievements of scientists abroad but also work to build local R&D capacity, foster industry-academia partnerships, and develop the infrastructure necessary to process and commercialize these critical minerals.

Dr. Oluwagbenga holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Concordia University, where his research focused on materials for energy generation and storage. His work has been published in leading scientific journals, contributing to the global pursuit of next-generation battery technologies. He is a strong advocate for sustainable energy solutions and Nigeria’s industrialization in the clean energy sector.