By: Abdullahi Inuwa
When Auwal Abubakar steps into his modest workshop in Kaduna, the hum of machinery and scattered tools tell a story of grit and ingenuity. But behind the clutter lies a breakthrough that could transform Nigeria’s energy landscape: a car-based machine that converts water into HHO gas—a clean hydrogen system that powers vehicles with little more than a bottle of water.
For years, Nigerians have lived at the mercy of rising fuel costs and long queues at petrol stations. Abubakar’s invention, however, promises something different: a car that can run on hydrogen or a hydrogen-fuel blend, dramatically cutting fuel costs while also extending engine life.
“Water is life, but now it can also be fuel,” Abubakar told [Newspaper], proudly gesturing to a prototype car he has been testing on Kaduna’s roads.
Unlike many inventors who emerge from well-funded labs, Abubakar’s journey began with sheer curiosity. With a background in mechanical tinkering and an eye for alternative energy, he began experimenting with water electrolysis—a process that breaks down water into hydrogen and oxygen. After months of trial and error, he built a compact machine small enough to fit into a car’s engine bay.
The result: HHO gas, a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, capable of powering a standard internal combustion engine with reduced emissions.
Energy experts believe Abubakar’s innovation is timely. Dr. Musa Ibrahim, an energy researcher at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, noted:
“Hydrogen is being hailed as the fuel of the future. For a Nigerian innovator to develop a working prototype at this stage is remarkable. With the right support, this could reduce dependence on fossil fuels and save billions in imports.”
Beyond cost savings, hydrogen technology could help Nigeria meet global climate commitments by cutting emissions from its over 12 million registered vehicles.
Despite the buzz around his invention, Abubakar faces an uphill battle. Funding, regulation, and mass adoption remain major hurdles. “I’ve knocked on doors, written proposals, but the support has been slow,” he admitted. “All I need is the chance to refine the technology, test it widely, and make it accessible to every Nigerian driver.”
Local motorists who have seen the prototype in action are already convinced. “If this becomes mainstream, we won’t have to suffer at filling stations anymore,” said Musa Ali, a Kaduna taxi driver.
Hydrogen-powered cars are still rare globally, but countries like Japan, South Korea, and Germany are investing billions into the technology. Abubakar’s machine could place Nigeria on that map—showcasing African ingenuity in the global clean energy race.
Yet without government backing and private sector investment, the invention risks fading into obscurity like many Nigerian innovations before it.
For now, Auwal Abubakar remains undeterred. Each test drive fuels his belief that Nigeria can be part of the hydrogen revolution. “We can’t always wait for the world to bring solutions to us,” he said, tightening a bolt under the hood. “Sometimes, the solution is right here, in our water.”
As his prototype roars to life, powered not by petrol but by water, it feels less like science fiction and more like the future of Nigerian transportation.
Abdullahi Inuwa Social Commentator ainuwa303@gmail.com
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