G-BOX: YOUNG NIGERIAN UNDERGRADUATE BUILDS SOLAR-POWERED CAR

                                      
Kindly tell us about yourself sir

I'm Oyeyiola Segun by name, a final year student of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University. A native of Ifetedo, Ife south LGA in Osun State.

You recently built a solar-powered car, please tell us about the project including its relevance and uniqueness

The simple car that I built will be using both the wind and solar energy for its movement and it will be on our roads. Apart from using wind and solar energy for its propulsion, you can know the state of the car like the level of its batteries, weather conditions, maximum distance you can cover and GPS location while in your rooms through your laptops or smartphones.

What were the challenges you faced in the course of building the car? 

I faced a lot of challenges in the course of building the car but the most prominent one was lack of funds.

                                   

1      As a young Nigerian, where did you get the inspiration for such a great project?

I have seriously been thinking about the strategies to reduce/stop climate change due to the effects of combustion of fuel. In the course of my research, I found out that our regular cars contribute immensely to climate change. Then, I concluded that if we could manufacture cars that do not not use fuel or reduce the number of cars that use fuel, our world would be a better place to live in. Therefore, I came up with the idea of building a car that could use both the winds and solar energy.  

Has the Nigerian government supported you in any way, and now that the project is out, have they contacted you? 

Up till now, I'm yet to receive any form of support from the Nigerian government. In fact, they have not contacted me.

In what ways do you think this project can benefit many Nigerians?

It will help cut down dependence on oil, especially now that the cost of fuel is alarming. it’s very easy to operate and maintain, and in case it develops some fault, it's easier to repair. Notably, it will bring about a  reduction in noise pollution.

What is your advice for the Nigerian youths?

Obviously, there are problems everywhere in the country; we should endeavour to provide solutions to these problems in our little ways. May God help us!