At the University of Hull, a Nigerian chemical engineer is working on a technology that could transform how the world produces clean energy. 

Chinonyelum Udemu may not be a household name, but her research into low-carbon hydrogen systems is contributing valuable knowledge to the global effort to develop cleaner energy systems.

Udemu’s journey began in Benin City, where she studied chemical engineering at the University of Benin before moving to the United Kingdom to pursue advanced degrees. Today, she leads research projects, focusing on ways to produce hydrogen fuel without releasing harmful gases into the atmosphere. Her main area of work involves improving a process called sorption-enhanced steam reforming.

This method uses special materials called sorbents that absorb carbon dioxide as it forms during the conversion of natural gas to hydrogen. By removing the carbon dioxide immediately, the process produces purer hydrogen more efficiently than traditional methods while preventing the carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere. Udemu’s research addresses a critical problem: how to scale it up from small laboratory setups to massive industrial plants that could supply hydrogen to entire cities.

The challenge is more complex than simply building bigger equipment. When processes that work perfectly in test tubes are expanded to industrial size, unexpected problems often emerge. Udemu uses computer simulations to predict and solve these issues before companies spend billions building full-scale plants that might not work as expected. Her computer models can simulate industrial plants producing up to 600 megawatts of thermal energy worth of hydrogen. This is enough to power hundreds of thousands of homes or fuel entire fleets of hydrogen-powered vehicles. The simulations help engineers understand how factors like reactor shape, operating conditions, and the movement of materials through the system affect the final product.

This work has practical implications for Nigeria’s energy future. The country possesses vast natural gas reserves that could be converted into hydrogen using the processes Udemu studies. Instead of simply burning gas for electricity or exporting it as a raw material, Nigeria could become a hydrogen producer, thereby creating a cleaner energy export while developing domestic clean energy capabilities.

Udemu’s research extends beyond hydrogen production and carbon capture. Her approach combines technical expertise with economic analysis. She doesn’t just ask whether new energy technologies work, but whether they make financial sense. Her research includes detailed cost calculations that help companies and governments decide which clean energy investments are worth making.

The funding for her research comes from prestigious sources. The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Britain’s main engineering research funding body, has supported multiple projects where she plays key research roles. She has also received recognition from the Institution of Chemical Engineers, earning their 2024 Environmental and Clean Technology Early Years Prize. Her publication record demonstrates the international impact of her work. She has authored papers in top-tier engineering journals, contributing knowledge that researchers and engineers worldwide reference in their own projects.

Udemu’s path to this position involved strategic scholarship applications that funded her education. She secured funding from Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited for her master’s degree and later obtained support from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund for her doctoral studies. These experiences give her unique insight into navigating the funding landscape that many young Nigerian scientists find challenging. Additional recognition came through the Net-Zero Research (NZR), United Kingdom funding and the Faculty of Science and Engineering Research Award from the University of Hull. Her expertise has also been recognized through the UK Global Talent visa, which is reserved for individuals deemed exceptional in their fields.

The transition to clean energy requires experts who understand both the technical and economic aspects of new technologies. Companies need researchers who can predict whether laboratory discoveries will work at commercial scale and whether they will generate acceptable profits. Udemu’s combination of simulation expertise, economic analysis skills, and industry experience positions her to address these critical questions.

Her work represents a broader trend of Nigerian engineers making significant contributions to global energy research. While Nigeria faces its own energy challenges, Nigerian-trained engineers are helping develop solutions that could eventually benefit their home country and the wider world. The global energy transition requires contributions from engineers with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Moreover, Nigeria’s energy challenges and resources provide unique insights that can inform global solutions. As the world searches for ways to reduce carbon emissions while meeting growing energy demands, the work of researchers like Udemu becomes increasingly important. Her quiet but persistent efforts to improve clean energy technology represent Nigeria’s meaningful participation in addressing one of the most significant challenges of our time.