A Nigerian engineer has called on Universities across the country to integrate drone technology into their STEM curricula, using affordable kits and student competitions to prepare young people for real-world innovation.

Mike Oluwaseun Ojumu, a mechanical engineer and expert in autonomous systems, made the appeal while unveiling his drone project designed to reduce malaria transmission in vulnerable communities.

Ojumu stressed the need for “practical, hands-on exposure” for students, describing drones as “no longer a novelty, but a necessity” for Africa’s future.

Ojumu, who grew up in Katsina State, is developing AI-enabled autonomous drones that use precision spraying to target mosquito-breeding zones— an alternative for low-income families who struggle to afford conventional insecticides.

He described malaria as a personal and communal burden during his childhood, saying it sparked his drive to pursue technology-based solutions.

“With malaria, treatment became almost routine in my community. I wanted to imagine solutions beyond medicine,” Ojumu said.

Starting with limited resources, he built early flight controllers from salvaged parts. His current drones are equipped with computer vision and sensor systems to identify and spray infected areas with greater accuracy.

Ojumu highlighted that, while drones are increasingly used in agriculture and disaster response globally, their untapped potential in public health and education across Africa remains vast.

He further emphasized the need for local manufacturing and strategic partnerships, warning against Africa’s overreliance on imported technologies.

“From fragments of scrap to life-saving interventions, this journey proves that technology guided by purpose can change lives,” he added.

Ojumu’s initiative aligns with broader global trends seeking to apply drone innovation in health, climate response, and infrastructure— while locally, it represents a growing movement to equip African youth with homegrown, high-impact technological skills.