For decades, Nigeria has been a dominant force in Africa’s oil and gas sector, but the industry now faces two major challenges: declining oil production from aging reservoirs and the need to diversify the energy mix for the future. To stay competitive, the country must embrace smarter extraction techniques while preparing for the global shift toward alternative energy sources like hydrogen.
Leading this charge is Zainab Ololade Iyiola, a graduate researcher at the Well Construction Technology Center (WCTC), University of Oklahoma, USA. Her work focuses on two critical areas that could reshape Nigeria’s energy future:
• CO2-Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) – Using carbon dioxide injection to boost oil production while reducing environmental impact.
• Hydrogen Transportation Infrastructure – Developing machine learning-powered models to ensure safe and efficient hydrogen transport through existing pipelines.
Her research is at the cutting edge of global energy innovation, and her contributions have earned her international recognition, including the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Imomoh Scholarship, which is awarded to exceptional petroleum engineering graduate students of African descent driving industry-changing research. She was also selected as one of the top 100 students globally for the International Petroleum Technology Conference (IPTC) Education Week in 2022, a program that brings together the brightest young minds in oil and gas, chosen based on academic excellence, leadership potential, and contributions to research and innovation in the energy sector. In addition, she is a recipient of the African Energy Chamber’s Inaugural Energy Scholarship, a prestigious award given to top talents in Africa who are making significant contributions to the continent’s energy industry. This scholarship recognizes individuals with the vision, expertise, and leadership to shape Africa’s energy future through groundbreaking research and technological advancements.
[Unlocking More Oil with CO2-Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)]
Nigeria’s economy remains heavily dependent on oil, yet many of its reservoirs are underperforming. Traditional extraction methods leave up to 60% of oil trapped underground, leading to wasted resources and declining production rates. Zainab’s research in CO2-EOR provides a sustainable solution by injecting carbon dioxide into reservoirs to increase oil recovery, lower extraction costs, and reduce emissions.
“Nigeria has the potential to be a leader in advanced oil recovery techniques. With CO2-EOR, we can not only maximize production but also turn carbon emissions into a resource, making the industry more efficient and environmentally responsible,” she explains.
Her work integrates machine learning algorithms to optimize CO2 injection patterns, improving efficiency and predicting reservoir behavior. If implemented at scale, this technology could extend the lifespan of Nigeria’s oil fields, generate more revenue, and make oil extraction cleaner and smarter.
[Preparing Nigeria for the Hydrogen Economy]
While oil remains Nigeria’s dominant resource, the global energy industry is evolving. Hydrogen is being positioned as the fuel of the future, with the potential to power industries, transportation, and electricity grids without carbon emissions. However, one major challenge remains: transporting hydrogen safely and efficiently.
Zainab’s second research focus is on developing AI-driven models that assess pipeline integrity for hydrogen transportation. Since Nigeria already has an extensive natural gas pipeline network, her work could help ` avoiding the need for costly new pipelines.
“Nigeria has a huge opportunity to get ahead in the hydrogen transition. If we can ensure our pipelines are hydrogen-compatible, we can position ourselves as a key player in the future energy market,” she says.
Her research uses fracture mechanics and predictive analytics to model how hydrogen affects pipeline materials, ensuring that existing oil and gas infrastructure remains safe, efficient, and ready for energy diversification.
[Why This Matters for Nigeria’s Energy Future]
Zainab’s research directly supports Nigeria’s long-term energy security by:
• Increasing oil production efficiency using CO2-EOR to sustain economic growth.
• Reducing environmental impact by utilizing carbon capture in oil recovery.
• Preparing infrastructure for hydrogen transportation, ensuring Nigeria stays competitive in the global alternative energy market.
With major economies investing billions into hydrogen development, Nigeria has the chance to future-proof its energy sector by leveraging existing pipelines and expertise.
[A Young Nigerian Leading Energy Innovation]
Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Zainab’s passion for engineering and energy innovation began early. She attended International School, University of Lagos (ISL) before earning her degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Ghana, where she graduated top of her class and was recognized as the Best Graduating International Student and Best Student from the School of Petroleum Studies (SPeTs), UMaT. Her expertise in machine learning, advanced energy modeling, and infrastructure optimization has positioned her as a rising force in the global energy sector. As she continues her research, Zainab remains focused on bridging the gap between traditional oil production and the energy transition, ensuring that Nigeria’s oil and gas sector remains strong while preparing for the future of hydrogen energy.