‘We Can Fly, If Given Wings’
Peace Obi, who was at the UNILAG 2016 Convocation Exhibition came across some talented, zealous and creative students of the institution who have a vision to build automobiles that can serve today's and future generations' demands to meet the changing eco
The University of Lagos 2016 Convocation Exhibition booth for the Engineering Department turned out to be a speed limiting spot for most visitors. Standing out among others on the exhibition arena, were two vehicles under construction. Obviously too unique to be ignored, guests and visitors made a brief stopover to catch a glimpse of the structures as well as have a few words with the team behind the creation.
Though found in a university environment, which ought to be home of innovation and creativity, yet, people gazed at the structures with some kind of awe in their eyes. Although some others expressed their delight at the institution's departure from theory-centered education to a practical presentation of theories and ideas by UNILAG students. To many at the exhibition site, the handiwork of the students was actually saying, "Trust us, we can do even better, if given the opportunity, support and enabling environment. Nigeria does not necessarily have to depend on other countries for her automobiles and many of such things she spends her hard earned foreign exchange on. Trust us, we can fly, if given the wing and we really can go far. All we ask is a helping hand.”
To the observers, it was once again, a confirmation to the fact that Nigeria has in her youth population, what it takes to remain great among the comity of nations. Thus, pointing to the need for all stakeholders at different levels and sectors to step up their commitment to manpower development, capacity building as part of the deliberate efforts in ploughing back into the Nigeria economy for recovery and growth. Inspired by Shell Eco-Marathon Competition To the students, what was on display, was but one out of their numerous brilliant, creative and innovative designs begging for expression. And this might not be any difference from what is obtainable in similar departments in various tertiary institutions across the country. Speaking with a member of the team, Mr. Qudus Adegbuji, a 500 level student of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, he gave the name of the team behind the car construction as ‘Shell Eco-Marathon Team UNILAG. Adegbuji noted that while the cars are displayed on the Engineering Department's booth, members of the team are drawn from different departments like creative Art, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Economics, Chemical Engineering, Law, among others.
According to Adegbuji, the team came into being as a response to a competition organised by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) in 2012 that required students to build fuel efficiency car. "We were inspired by a competition organised by SPDC called ‘Shell Eco-Marathon’. The aim was for students to design energy efficiency cars. So that was what led to forming the team and what we have here today. This is our second car, we have the first one. We are working on this at the moment, the Urban Concept. And we still have some designs we need to work on and exhibit.
Enumerating some of the benefits of a fuel efficient vehicle, Adegbuji noted that it would be useful in any part of the world. And that Nigerians would find it helpful as it reduces the cost of fuel to the barest minimum. "The fuel efficient car will be very useful here in Nigeria because a litre of fuel now sells for N145. And if this comes on the road, with barely N100 fuel, you can actually get to Ibadan. So with cars of this nature, you can be sure of saving cost of fuel because it does not consume fuel like others."
Boasts to make Nigeria self-sufficient in automobiles
Speaking further Adegbuji enthused that "If government can provide the necessary equipment, we can produce more because we have the human resources. And for the materials, we used fibre glass, it is not manufactured here in Nigeria. Though we bought it from the local market here but we don’t produce it here, they are imported. The motor controller is also not made here. So, if we have all these materials made available here, a lot can be achieved. Our team got this done within six months, with a rough cost estimate of N1.2m,” he said.
Autonov 3 and the Urban Concept
Explaining further on the two different concepts on display, another member of the team and a final year student of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Mr. Reuben Akande, said that the Autonov 3 is a prototype vehicle. According to him, it is a futuristic kind of vehicle. "It is the sports car kind of concept. It is a one-seater, three-tyre vehicle that runs on battery-electric. It runs on 120.1KM/KWh; that is like traveling from Lagos to Ibadan on N12.54 worth of electricity.”
In preparation for the 2017 competition and in way that suggests the team is never in lack of creative and innovative ideas, they came up with the Auto Deluxe or Urban Concept. Noting that the urban concept is a design of a normal car, Akande said that it was going to run on IC engine - Internal Combustion engine; four tyres like any normal car, with doors. And that it is also going to have telemetry system like radio, navigation system, among others. "The Shell competition actually challenged students to build energy efficient cars. When we set out for the competition, our main objective was to build a car that will have zero emission of gas. And so, for our first car, we went for an electrical battery. After working on the prototype for two years, we now want to work on an Urban Concept, that is the common car you see outside there,” he explained.
A new concept for Nigeria and the world
Speaking further Akande hinted, "After our success in building this car, we want to do a synergy of both concepts, that is a car that has near zero emission but with components of an urban car that can be used on Nigerian roads. I think if we are able to achieve that, we will be able to reduce the level of pollution in Nigerian environment and also build economical cars that will meet the needs of our people. At the moment we are working on the prototype and if we succeed, we may ask the industry to produce it en mass for us because the prototype is usually more expensive."
Stressing how the oil company spurred them into a journey of no looking back, Akande explained, "When we started the competition, SPDC was sponsoring us. They gave us the fund we worked with and even in traveling for the competition. They stirred up the zeal in us through the competition but right now, we don't have their sponsorship rather we are being sponsored by our school. But that is not enough. We need sponsorships from corporate organisations and well meaning Nigerians.
"Like when we went to South Africa, in a stand for a team, you can see about five logos of different companies, showing the various organisations they have their support and sponsorship. Those ones have both financial and technical support. For us to go far in this project, we really need support from individuals, corporate organisations
After our success in building this car, we want to do a synergy of both concepts, that is a car that has near zero emission but with components of an urban car that can be used on Nigerian roads. I think if we are able to achieve that, we will be able to reduce the level of pollution in Nigerian environment and also build economical cars that will meet the needs of our people