Tobi Thomas, a Nigerian-born entrepreneur and scientist, is the co-founder of Space Redi Inc., a U.S.-based aerospace company. Space Redi focuses on advancing human spaceflight. With a diverse academic background, Thomas brings an interdisciplinary approach to the aerospace industry. His scientific expertise complements his entrepreneurial vision in pushing the boundaries of space exploration.
Thomas aspires to travel to space representing Nigeria and contribute to his home country’s emerging presence in the global space sector. In this interview with KENNETH ATHEKAME, he spoke about the Ecosystems, geological landscape and the Nigeria waste-water management standing out as a critical environment challenge. Excerpts:
Can you tell us about your background and experience in environmental science or geoscience?
I’m a co-founder of Space Redi Inc., an aerospace startup specialising in software development for risk mitigation in high-risk environments, particularly human spaceflight. My work focuses on bioastronautical research – exploring how biological systems behave in space environments.
My academic foundation is in Environmental Science and Geoscience, where I gained hands-on experience conducting near-space projects using weather balloons. These projects were particularly rewarding as they involved collaborating with both fellow researchers and young students, introducing the next generation to space science.
Space exploration is my driving passion, and I’ve built my career path to align with this interest, bridging environmental science with space research. Through Space Redi Inc., I’m working to make human spaceflight safer and more reliable through innovative software solutions.
What motivated you to pursue a career in environmental science or geoscience, particularly in Nigeria?
I chose environmental science strategically as a pathway to space exploration. And it worked – I’m currently pursuing space-related opportunities while using my environmental science background as a foundation.
As a Nigerian based in the U.S., I see this intersection of environmental and space science as a way to contribute to Nigeria’s development. The country has incredible untapped potential and talent, and I’m excited to be part of this innovative chapter in Nigeria’s scientific journey.
How familiar are you with Nigeria’s diverse ecosystems and geological landscapes?
My direct experience with Nigeria’s ecosystems and geology comes from two focused research trips from the United States. These weren’t just casual visits – they involved extensive cross-country travel from western to eastern Nigeria, giving me a ground-level view of the country’s diverse landscapes.
During these journeys, I conducted systematic visits to water management facilities, local communities, and universities. My research had two main focuses: understanding urban water management systems and exploring early childhood education practices. While these trips provided valuable insights into the regions I visited, they represent only a snapshot of Nigeria’s vast and diverse environmental landscape.
These field studies, though limited in duration, offered practical insights into how different communities approach water management challenges and how environmental education is integrated at the local level.
What do you see as the most significant environmental challenges facing Nigeria today?
Based on my research and observations in Nigeria, wastewater management stands out as a critical environmental challenge. The issue isn’t just about access to clean water – it’s about what happens to water after use. Across many areas, I’ve observed stagnant water bodies that become breeding grounds for waterborne diseases.
While Nigeria has developed various innovative solutions for water distribution, especially in areas without centralised plumbing, our wastewater management practices haven’t kept pace. This creates a dangerous imbalance – we’re bringing water to communities but not adequately managing the resulting wastewater, leading to health and environmental risks.
In essence, it’s not enough to solve the clean water distribution challenge if we don’t also address what happens to that water afterward. This disconnect between water supply solutions and wastewater management represents a significant gap in Nigeria’s environmental infrastructure.
How do you assess the impacts of urbanisation and industrialisation on Nigeria’s environment?
Urbanisation and industrialisation in Nigeria present a complex trade-off. On the positive side, these developments are creating opportunities for young Nigerians to develop globally competitive skills and expertise. However, there’s a critical infrastructure gap, particularly in waste management. New developments often start clean and promising, but without proper maintenance systems in place, they can deteriorate rapidly. This reflects a broader pattern in Nigeria where impressive projects are initiated but sometimes abandoned, transforming what should be community assets into environmental burdens.
This suggests that successful urbanization isn’t just about building new structures – it’s about creating sustainable systems to maintain them. Without this foundation, even the most promising developments risk joining Nigeria’s collection of abandoned projects that strain rather than serve their communities.
Can you discuss the role of climate change in Nigeria’s recurring flooding and its effects. Looking at the floods of 2022, there was more intense rainfall, then rising sea levels affecting coastal areas, also irregular weather patterns disrupting traditional farming seasons (particularly easy to observe for those who grow any kind of food), and also increased vulnerability of urban infrastructure?
Climate patterns are like a long-term story, while weather is just a daily snapshot. I want to explain this in terms as if we’re talking to someone who isn’t an environmental scientist: Through decades of observing Earth’s patterns, we’re seeing that our once-predictable weather is becoming more erratic and extreme. Think of it like a delicate balance – when temperatures and rainfall patterns shift from what plants and animals are used to, it starts a domino effect. One change leads to another, affecting the entire web of life that depends on these familiar conditions.
How can Nigeria balance economic development with environmental sustainability?
Building eco-friendly technology into new industrial projects from the very beginning saves time and money compared to retrofitting facilities later. While we’ve seen some environmental messages on local TV, we need to modernise our communication strategy. Today’s audience spends more time on social media platforms, so we should create engaging, high-quality environmental content where people are already spending their time. This expanded outreach can help more people understand and support green initiatives.
In other words: Build it green from the start, avoid costly fixes later, and spread the word through modern channels that people actually use. Instead of relying solely on traditional media like local TV spots, we need compelling environmental content across social media platforms to reach a wider, more engaged audience.
How would you suggest improving Nigeria’s waste management systems, particularly in urban areas?
Environmental change happens through two main paths: top-down initiatives from institutions and organisations, and bottom-up movements from communities and individuals. While top-down approaches often get tangled in bureaucracy and competing interests, slowing their impact, they’re still essential. The most effective strategy combines both approaches.
My research on wastewater management revealed a crucial insight: people understand there’s a problem, but feel powerless as individuals. This leads to inaction – why try if it won’t make a difference? To overcome this, we need two fundamental shifts:
Transform early education to embed environmental responsibility from childhood, Create stronger environmental standards for businesses from day one.
But most importantly, we need to inspire people with something bigger than themselves – a vision so compelling it spreads naturally through communities, igniting genuine passion for environmental stewardship. When people feel part of a larger movement, individual actions gain meaning and momentum.
In essence, while we need institutional support, the real power lies in making environmental action feel both personally meaningful and collectively powerful. It’s about shifting from “my effort doesn’t matter” to “I’m part of something transformative.”
What role do you think renewable energy can play in Nigeria’s future environment?
Nigeria’s potential for growth is immense, especially considering its people’s renowned entrepreneurial spirit and determination. The main bottleneck is the country’s unstable power supply, which currently depends heavily on fossil fuels and an unreliable grid system. By shifting to renewable energy sources, Nigeria could unlock consistent, dependable electricity access. This reliable power would amplify the famous “Nigerian hustle” – imagine all that drive and innovation powered by steady electricity. When you combine Nigeria’s enterprising workforce with consistent power access, the nation’s productivity could soar.
At the core, Nigeria has the human drive for success – what it needs is reliable power. Renewable energy could provide that missing piece, transforming sporadic power access into a consistent resource that matches the population’s ambition and work ethic.
What tools or technologies do you use for geoscientific research, and how would you apply them in Nigeria?
I usually would work with atmospheric monitoring tools when I’m conducting geoscientific research. As someone experienced with atmospheric monitoring in geoscience, I understand that deploying scientific tools in Nigeria requires careful consideration beyond just technical capabilities. It’s about creating a sustainable research operation.
This is a tricky question. It starts for me with a discussion.
First, we must define the environmental challenge we’re tackling, which shapes everything that follows. Then we assess both the technical requirements and the practical realities of maintaining sophisticated equipment in Nigeria’s context. This means evaluating storage conditions, maintenance capabilities, and local infrastructure.
The operational aspects are equally important: establishing clear output goals, identifying reliable local partners for day-to-day oversight, and ensuring fair compensation for all involved parties. These factors determine not just what tools we can use, but how effectively they can be deployed.
This thorough planning process helps bridge the gap between ideal research scenarios and practical implementation in Nigeria’s unique environment. Without addressing these foundational questions, even the most advanced monitoring tools might fail to deliver meaningful results.
After addressing these questions, we would better determine what tools and how they would be applied in Nigeria.
How would you address the challenge of public awareness about environmental conservation in Nigeria?
Harness the power of both institutional support and grassroots movements by creating viral environmental challenges through influential voices. When popular celebrities and influencers champion environmental actions – like “Plastic-Free Tuesday” challenges – they can spark widespread behavior change through social media engagement. People are more likely to participate when they see their favorite artists or actors modeling these behaviors.
But the key innovation here is the follow-through: having these same influencers share concrete impact reports. When a celebrity can say “Because of our Tuesday challenge, we collectively prevented 10,000 plastic bottles from entering landfills last month,” it transforms individual actions into visible, meaningful change. This addresses the common feeling that individual efforts don’t matter by showing the collective impact.
It’s about turning environmental responsibility from a duty into a shared movement, powered by the voices people already trust and follow.
Can you share any innovative project you’ve worked on that has direct relevance to Nigeria’s environment or geology?
Yes; currently, I’m part of the Microgravity Contest in Nigeria (spaceredi.com/contest). This space-focused competition uniquely emphasizes innovations that address ground-level challenges. Space research often yields direct benefits for solving environmental issues here on Earth. Take wastewater management as an example – the International Space Station has achieved over a 97% efficiency in water recycling. Now imagine implementing similar technology in Nigeria – this level of efficiency could revolutionise how we handle water resources on the ground.
Imagine a situation where a proposed infrastructure project threatens a biodiversity hotspot. How would you handle the situation as a geoscientist or environmentalist?
When addressing conflicts between infrastructure development and biodiversity protection in Nigeria, we need to acknowledge that traditional regulatory pressure might not be the strongest leverage point.
I would start by understanding the audience – are they investors looking at profit margins? Project developers focused on timelines? Local business leaders concerned with community impact? This understanding is crucial because standard environmental compliance arguments might carry less weight.
Next, we could study their business objectives, both immediate and long-term. What drives their decision-making? What matters most to their stakeholders?
Then, we could build our case around tangible business impacts. Instead of focusing on regulatory compliance, emphasize how biodiversity loss could affect things like Project costs (like increased flooding due to the destroyed natural barriers), Local community support or resistance, international investment potential, Company reputation in the global market, and
Future project opportunities.
Most critically, we have to come prepared with alternatives. We would have to show them how protecting the biodiversity hotspot could actually benefit their bottom line – perhaps through eco-tourism potential, sustainable resource management, or access to international green funding opportunities.
I think the key is focusing on business advantages of environmental protection rather than regulatory requirements. Show them how being environmentally conscious can create new opportunities, not just constraints.
How can Nigerians space initiatives contribute to Economic growth?
Space technology can be a powerful engine for Nigeria’s economic development through practical, everyday applications.
Agriculture could be transformed through satellite data, empowering farmers with precise information for decision-making. Rather than relying on traditional methods, farmers could access real-time weather forecasts, optimise planting and harvesting schedules, and identify potential crop diseases before they devastate yields. This technology could boost agricultural productivity and farmer incomes.
Urban development could become smarter and safer. With satellite data, city planners could better understand flood risks, land stability, and urban growth patterns. This information helps create more resilient cities and prevents costly infrastructure mistakes. Early warning systems for natural disasters could protect both lives and valuable assets.
Maritime operations could become more secure and efficient. Enhanced surveillance of Nigerian waters would improve shipping safety, reduce piracy risks, and protect valuable marine resources. This directly impacts trade, fishing, and oil operations – all crucial sectors of Nigeria’s economy.
Each of these applications shares a common thread: they either protect existing resources or create opportunities for growth. Space technology isn’t just about exploration – it’s about providing practical tools that can drive economic development across multiple sectors.
How does Nigerians space programme compared to other African countries with similar ambition?
Nigeria has its strengths. There has been a push in Nigeria’s space program to engage the youth more, as well as them making stronger and bolder connections with Nigeria’s Defense sector and Satellite sector. In Space circles, there is a lot of collaboration occurring which is very important optically for the spirit of Africa in general. Nigeria does not have the oldest space agency in Africa, but it is definitely more established in comparison. Honestly, I look forward to the collaborative efforts amongst the African nations with space programs. A great example for African collaboration across various sectors.
How can Nigeria address its talent gap in the space and aeronautics sector?
Nigeria occupies a distinctive position in Africa’s space landscape. We have built a well-established program with some notable strategic focuses.
Youth engagement has become a key priority, recognising the importance of nurturing the next generation of space scientists and engineers. The program has also strengthened its partnerships with Nigeria’s defense and satellite sectors, creating practical applications for space technology.
What’s particularly encouraging is the collaborative spirit among African space programs. Rather than competing, these nations are working together, sharing knowledge and resources. This cooperation sets a powerful example for how African countries can work together across other sectors, from agriculture to infrastructure development.
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