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By Kareem Islamiyat
In a groundbreaking achievement that is rapidly transforming the future of genomic research in Nigeria, Mathew Olakunle Alaba, a visionary researcher from the Department of Public Health Biotechnology at the University of Ibadan, has been nationally recognized for his development of Nigeria’s first locally fabricated Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine.
His work has been hailed by academic institutions, government agencies, and international observers as a turning point in affordable biomedical innovation in Africa.
Genetic research in Nigeria has long been hampered by the prohibitive cost of essential laboratory equipment. Institutions across the country have struggled to conduct DNA analysis due to the high expense of commercial PCR machines and electrophoresis units, often relying on outdated techniques or outsourcing analysis abroad.
Alaba’s invention, however, has rewritten the narrative, earning him multiple awards, high-profile speaking invitations, and recognition in top scientific and development forums.
With support from the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, General Electric (GE) Garage Lagos, and Biologix Support Services, Alaba led a team of young scientists to create a suite of low-cost, high-performance genomic tools tailored for resource-limited settings. These include not only a PCR machine but also gel electrophoresis units, centrifuges, pipettes, and microplate readers, all built using locally sourced materials like aluminum bars, high-resistance plywood, and essential electronic components.
What sets Alaba’s work apart is not just its ingenuity, but its proven performance. Independent testing by Biologix confirmed that the tools deliver results on par with premium systems from global manufacturers like Bio-Rad and Thermo Scientific.
His custom-built PCR machine, priced at just ₦14,000, and gel box (₦80,000) are a fraction of the standard N60,000–₦300,000 cost, an achievement that earned him widespread acclaim across Nigeria’s scientific community.
Presented at the 6th University of Ibadan Conference on Biomedical Research (UCBR-6) in 2018, Alaba’s innovation was described by organizers as a milestone in democratizing access to molecular biology tools in West Africa.
Following the conference, Alaba received commendations from academic leadership, invitations to collaborate on government-funded research projects, and recognition from international NGOs exploring sustainable laboratory solutions for low-income regions.
“This isn’t just about the equipment—it’s about building scientific independence,” Alaba stated during his UCBR-6 keynote. “We’re proving that innovation can come from within, and that our local expertise is capable of solving the most critical health challenges facing our communities.”
As Nigeria continues to grapple with diseases like malaria, sickle cell anaemia, and emerging epidemics, Alaba’s locally engineered biomedical tools are empowering a new wave of scientific inquiry, expanding access to diagnostics, and fueling capacity development across universities and research centers.
His pioneering work stands as a beacon of self-reliant innovation, calling on policymakers, academic institutions, and development partners to invest in scaling indigenous solutions. Mathew Alaba is not only breaking barriers, he is building the future of genetic research in Africa, one low-cost innovation at a time.
