Intro
Sodiq A. Alaka, based in the United Kingdom but deeply rooted in Nigeria, has emerged as one of the leading Nigerian voices making international contributions to sustainability, water quality, and waste management. Recently awarded Fellowship of the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC) and the National Institute of Professional Engineers and
Scientists (NiPES), his career bridges scientific research and professional leadership, advancing global standards in environmental management.
Alaka’s work spans research into municipal solid waste systems in Nigeria, studies on
desalination technologies for sustainable water supply, and innovative projects applying
artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT) to water quality assessment. He also plays a vital role as a peer reviewer for international scientific journals, contributing to the integrity and credibility of global environmental research.
In this interview, he reflects on his journey, his achievements, and his vision for how Nigerian professionals can shape sustainability on a global scale.
Interview
Q: Congratulations on your Fellowships. What does this recognition mean to you?
A: Thank you. Being elected as a Fellow of IMC and NiPES is one of the most important
milestones of my career. Fellowships are awarded to professionals who have demonstrated leadership, originality, and significant impact in their fields. For me, these awards are not only recognition of what I have achieved so far, but also encouragement to keep pushing boundaries. They validate my work in water quality, waste management, and sustainability, and they signalthat Nigerian professionals are capable of setting international standards.
Beyond the personal honor, I see it as an opportunity to use my recognition to strengthen
professional networks, mentor younger scientists, and keep highlighting the role of
sustainability in solving pressing global challenges.
Q: How did your career in sustainability begin?
A: My career started in Nigeria, and those experiences have never left me. Early in my work, I was involved in environmental impact assessments, carbon management initiatives, and
waste management planning. I saw firsthand how weak waste collection systems, open
dumping, and polluted water sources affected communities. These challenges were not
abstract problems; they were daily realities for people. Witnessing the link between poor environmental systems and public health outcomes convinced me that sustainability had to be at the heart of my professional journey.
Those early years taught me the importance of solutions that are practical, evidence-based, and tailored to context. Later, when I advanced my studies and began working internationally, the perspective I carried from Nigeria shaped how I approached environmental management.
It gave me a unique lens: the ability to see not just technical details, but also how policies and practices affect communities on the ground.
Q: What areas of research have you pursued, and why are they important?
A: My research has touched on three main themes, all closely linked to sustainability. The first is municipal solid waste management in Nigeria. In this work, I analyzed inefficiencies in collection, disposal, and recycling systems, and I identified the risks these gaps pose to public health and the environment. I recommended strategies to strengthen the waste sector, including better infrastructure, stronger regulation, and community-focused reforms.
The second area is desalination technologies. Water scarcity is one of the defining issues of our time, and desalination is often presented as a solution.
However, desalination comes with environmental risks, particularly from brine discharges back into marine ecosystems. My work examined how desalination can be made more sustainable, balancing the urgent need for water with protection of natural systems.
The third is smart water quality monitoring. My ongoing research explores how artificial intelligence and IoT can change how we assess and manage water quality. Traditional methods are slow and expensive, relying on manual sampling. IoT sensors allow for real-time data collection, while AI can process large datasets to detect patterns, predict risks, and provide early warnings. This shift could make water management not only more efficient but also preventive rather than reactive. For countries like Nigeria, where resources are limited but environmental risks are high, these technologies could be transformative.
Q: Can you elaborate further on your work with artificial intelligence and IoT in water quality?
A: Certainly. My research on artificial intelligence and IoT focuses on how these tools can be used to create smarter, more sustainable systems for monitoring and protecting water. AI algorithms can identify pollution trends, forecast risks, and help decision-makers act before problems escalate. IoT devices — small, connected sensors — can be deployed in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs to continuously collect data.
When these two technologies work together, the result is a monitoring system that is faster, more accurate, and more cost-effective than traditional approaches. For instance, instead of waiting weeks for lab results, water managers could receive alerts in real time if pollutants reach dangerous levels. This is not just about efficiency, but also about protecting communities by responding to problems before they cause harm.
In the Nigerian context, such systems could fill a major gap. Many of our cities face flooding, industrial discharge, and unsafe water supplies, but monitoring is irregular and reactive. With AI and IoT, Nigeria could leapfrog older methods and adopt modern systems that provide continuous oversight. My vision is to see these tools adapted to African realities, where budgets are tight but innovation can create breakthroughs.
Q: You are also active as a peer reviewer. What role does that play in your professional journey?
A: Serving as a peer reviewer for international journals is an important part of my work. It is both a responsibility and a recognition of my expertise. Editorial boards invite reviewers because they trust their ability to evaluate new research critically and constructively. When I review manuscripts, I am helping to maintain the integrity of global environmental science by ensuring that only high-quality, well-supported studies are published.
This role also allows me to contribute beyond my own publications. By guiding the work of other researchers, I help shape the field more broadly. For me, peer reviewing is also a way of giving back to the scientific community, ensuring that future policies and decisions are informed by reliable, rigorous evidence.
Q: How has your Nigerian background shaped your professional outlook?
A: My Nigerian background is central to everything I do. I witnessed the impacts of weak waste management, polluted streams, and poorly regulated industrial activities. Those experiences gave me a sense of urgency and a practical understanding of sustainability. They also taught me that environmental management is not just about science, but about people and communities.
Even as I work on international research, I constantly think about how my findings can be adapted for Nigeria and Africa. Sustainability cannot be one-size-fits-all. It must be contextual, sensitive to local challenges, and designed for long-term impact. My background gives me that perspective, and it motivates me to keep linking my global contributions back to Nigerian needs.
Q: What message does your recognition send to Nigerians at home and abroad?
A: It sends a clear message that Nigerians are not only participating in global conversations but also leading them. Too often, our skills and achievements are overlooked. Recognition at the level of Fellowship demonstrates that Nigerian professionals can set standards internationally. For Nigerians at home, it is a reminder that their work matters and can influence global debates. For Nigerians abroad, it is encouragement to continue representing the country with excellence.
I see my recognition not just as personal, but as part of a larger story: that Nigeria produces professionals who are shaping sustainability worldwide.
Q: Looking ahead, what are your goals for the future?
A: My goal is to continue building bridges between research, consulting, and sustainability leadership. I want to keep advancing the use of AI and smart systems in water and waste management, because I believe they can transform how we monitor, regulate, and protect the environment. These tools make sustainability practical and achievable, even where resources are limited.
Another key goal is collaboration. I want to work more with Nigerian and African institutions to adapt international lessons to local realities. The challenges we face are unique, but the solutions can be informed by global experience. Ultimately, my vision is to help create sustainable systems that protect ecosystems, safeguard communities, and support economic development across Africa.
Q: Finally, what advice would you give to young Nigerians pursuing careers in science and engineering?
A: My advice is simple: focus on excellence, persistence, and problem-solving. Publish your work, seek collaborations, and embrace international exposure. Nigerian professionals have the capacity to compete globally, but it requires consistent effort and a willingness to engage beyond borders.
Most importantly, remember that science and engineering are not just about theory — they are about improving lives. Whether through cleaner water, safer waste systems, or sustainable cities, your work should connect directly to people’s needs. If you stay focused on solving real problems, recognition and impact will follow naturally.
Discussion about this post