“Malaria treatment was routine in my community. I wanted to imagine solutions beyond medicine,” Ojumu said, reflecting on his motivation. Starting with limited resources, he built his first flight controllers from salvaged components. Now, his drones utilize computer vision and sensor technology to identify and treat mosquito habitats effectively.
Ojumu, an expert in subsea robotics and autonomous systems, sees drones as a transformative tool for public health and agriculture in Africa. “The biggest investment opportunities in drones are about necessity, not novelty,” he emphasized. He advocates for Nigerian universities to integrate drone technology into STEM programs through affordable kits and competitions to foster practical skills among students.
To ensure sustainability, Ojumu stresses the importance of local manufacturing and partnerships to reduce Africa’s reliance on imported technology. “From scraps to life-saving interventions, this journey shows technology guided by purpose can change lives,” he said, recalling how his childhood curiosity about malaria’s grip on his community inspired his innovation.