Ejikeme Patrick Nwosu is a Nigerian inventor and scientist. He has won seven patents, including that for converting urine into flammable gases, the Ezeugo Flask, and also for producing hydrogen from a reactor. Nwosu, the CEO of Lumos Laboratories and a graduate of Industrial Chemistry from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University and a Masters in Organic Chemistry from the University of Ibadan, in this interview with CHUKWUMA MUANYA, says he has solutions for better waste management, clean energy generation and training of younger ones for sustainability.

Green energy and other clean alternative energy sources rather than oil and radioactive substances are the future. You have made giant strides in innovating cheaper solutions and have won several awards. What prompted these innovations?
The most important thing that prompted my innovations is the real hunger to make a difference in the field of science and technology. Science was actively practiced in Africa thousands of years ago and it’s heartbreaking seeing the African nations lagging behind in this field and seemingly relaxed and begging for solutions to our problems. With my background in Chemistry I really wanted to solve our problems indigenously because I am highly of the opinion that we can only develop as a nation when we produce what we consume, and consume what we produce.

What have been the challenges?
Unfortunately, Nigeria does not take funding of research and development seriously; she would rather prefer patronage of foreign tech that is a challenge. Another one is lack of faith in our solutions and weak infrastructure. It is terribly difficult attempting to do real science, research and development in Nigeria because of some of the points highlighted.

Open defecation and littering of the environment with biodegradable and non biodegradable wastes has become more prevalent in recent times with dire consequences. Do you have a solution?
Yes. All these wastes mentioned can be conveniently converted into clean energy and organic fertiliser. We have the solution and have deployed them in multiple locations. Waste is a resource when properly harnessed.

Despite promises on steady electricity supply by several administrations the country is still in the dark or rather experiencing epileptic power supply. Do you have any innovation that can address this?
Yes, of course. Our solution converts waste into hydrogen-rich gases, which is blended in controlled proportion with biomethane for generation of clean electricity with useful byproducts. We are proficient in this with seven invention patent rights of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Can you articulate all the innovative awards you have won and how you intend to make them accessible solutions?
Yes, I have won several awards including: Best Sustainable Waste-to-Energy R&D Enterprise 2023, 2024 and 2025) by MEA MARKETS; Hydrogen Innovation of the Year Award (2025), by Global African Hydrogen Awards; 2025 Icon of Societal Development- National Association of Northern Nigerian Students; 2025 Anambra Man of the Year Innovator of the Year Award; 2025 Merit Award of Service to Humanity, Ifechidere Age grade; 2025 Omoluabi pataki Award- Yoruba Council of Youth Worldwide; 2024 Professional Award of Excellence- Rotary Club of Ibadan- Oritamefa; 2021 STIJA Inventor of the year; and 2019 SMART CITY Waste management solution of the year.

How about the seven patents?
First, it was the Ticlob-Lumos Method: Production of a hydrogen-ammonia-methane gas mixture through separate processing of urine and biodegradable waste, and using the gases in controlled proportions for electricity and cooking. Second, Hydrogen-Ammonia Gas Production: Conversion of urine into flammable hydrogen-ammonia rich gases. Third, Fire-Resistant Material Conversion: Process for converting urine into fire-resistant materials. The fourth was Patrium Flask Reactor: Design and fabrication of a vessel for generating flammable gases from urine. Fifth, Hybrid Patrium Flask Reactor: A hybrid reactor for hydrogen gas production through chemical reaction and/or electrolysis using urine, wastewater, or water. Sixth, Ezeugo Flask: A device for separating a mixture of solvent, miscible solute, and colloids. The seventh was Urine-Based Fertiliser: Production process for urine-derived organic fertiliser.

Have you received any support from government? Are there government policies that are hindering innovators?
Well, I have not received grants or financial support from the government, though we have implemented few projects for some government agencies.

What do you need to take your innovations to the next level?
Real research is a big issue and requires serious funding. With acquisition of some advanced laboratory equipments we will be able to deliver more cutting edge researches that will solve our problems and generate revenues. So, any support in this direction will be greatly appreciated. We also call on the government to work closely with us, patronise our solutions for better waste management, energy generation and training of younger ones.

Where do you see your company in the next 10 years?
In the next 10 years, we will be a major player in Green hydrogen technologies, I am certain of attaining this and more. We cannot be a strong nation if we are not energy independent, and the earlier we take active research and development serious, the better for us. The world is not going to pause for Nigeria, you either embrace technology or become poor and soon, our crude oil will become obsolete.

How far with developing new green energy solutions?
Hydrofuel Canada Inc. (Hydrofuel), a company engaged in the last mile production and delivery of Green Ammonia and Hydrogen to its customers, has entered into a share purchase agreement with Lumos Laboratories Nigeria Limited (Lumos). Lumos has patented technology to produce green hydrogen, ammonia, fertiliser, electricity and other commodities from human and animal wastes. Under the terms of the share purchase agreement, Hydrofuel will provide funding to commercialise the technology.

Lumos developed its technology to address the serious health concerns of communities without centralised sanitary sewage treatment. Untreated sewage poses a major risk to human health as it contains waterborne pathogens that can cause serious illness, such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that nearly three billion people lack access to improved sanitary facilities, with the lowest coverage in sub-Saharan Africa (37 per cent), Southern Asia (38 per cent) and Eastern Asia (45 per cent). Lumos technology would provide decentralised treatment of sewage on a neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood basis.

How do you intend to implement the project?
Implementing the technology is made possible by the sale of green energy and other by-products captured and generated by the process. In addition to poor sanitation, third world economies typically face energy poverty to heat, cook and provide basic services. Lumos’ technology addresses these concerns in part with the energy produced from its process. It is estimated that the value of the energy that can be captured using this process will enable Lumos to pay residents a small incentive fee for using its waste capture technology, further enabling local economic development. Lumos has secured a consulting contract with the Nigerian Prison Authority to study and pilot its technology. The green hydrogen and ammonia generated will be evaluated and assessed as a fuel for mobility, heat and electrical generation, and as fertiliser.

What was the motivation?
We are grateful to have made this acquisition deal with Hydrofuel Canada as it will provide a wonderful platform for us to realise our dream of making clean, affordable, renewable hydrogen-ammonia energy widely available while reducing the health impacts of untreated waste in our community.

One of the major reasons for making the move is to have access to resources that would enable improvement and development of our technology to more globally acceptable standard. Unfortunately, Nigerian system does not offer one much needed opportunities and resources to see out his dreams and make them come to fruition. I have many ideas that are yet to be developed and right conditions are important in realising them.

What next?
We hope to be announcing another innovative product from our years of hard work. I got in touch with Greg Vezina, CEO of Hydrofuel Canada Inc., over 12 years ago when I read on how he drove a vehicle on ammonia in the 80s. Since then, the relationship has been cordial, which has culminated in this acquisition deal. In one of our virtual meetings, he made a comment that got me, he said, ‘I believe in your abilities and I know you can achieve whatever you set your mind on’. It was soothing and highly motivating.

Government should do more in encouraging homegrown talents, if not we will lose them to where they are treated better. This has dire consequences. It is an open secret that we can no longer rely on crude oil to become a competitive economy, investment and development of other technological sectors are critical towards building a strong economy. You must sow before you reap.

We can see that solar panels and solar powered devices are common today and effective in delivering energy needs, but the equation principally behind that technology was developed in 1905 by Albert Einstein. It was a photoelectric effect equation, E= hv-hv⁰. This equation got Albert Einstein the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics. Afterwards, there was massive investment on research in this technology before we get to where we are today. So, with right funding and favourable conditions, we will be able to improve and deliver our solutions at even very affordable rate.

My dream has always been to become a great scientist and one keep working towards that on daily basis. It is not impossible to become the first Nigerian to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Money has never been a motivating factor in things that I do, those very close to me can attest to this. I am grateful to all the people that stood by me.