Nigerian engineer turns waste wood into homes through sustainable timber innovation

Nigeria faces a housing deficit of over 20 million units, according to the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. A 2025 BusinessDay poll found that 72% of Nigerian workers spend roughly 40% of their income on rent, the equivalent of four to six months’ pay each year. With affordability under strain and urban populations growing rapidly, architects and engineers are seeking faster, cheaper, and more sustainable ways to build.

For Modupe Akinnuoye, a researcher trained in both architecture and civil engineering who now works in the construction industry, part of the answer lies in the country’s own forests.

At Washington State University’s Composite Materials and Engineering Center (CMEC), Akinnuoye worked as part of a multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Vikram Yadama, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The group explored how small-diameter and underutilized trees could be transformed into high-value building materials through advanced processing. Funded by the WSU Office of Commercialization and the National Science Foundation, the research focused on thermally modified wood strand veneers, thin layers of wood treated under controlled heat and moisture to improve strength, stability, and moisture resistance. Akinnuoye’s work specifically examined their use as siding and flooring materials.

“The goal is to make better use of what we already have,” Akinnuoye told BusinessDay. “In the Pacific Northwest, these small-diameter trees are often considered waste from wildfire mitigation and are cleared out. However, when processed correctly, they become durable and efficient materials suitable for modern construction. It’s a reminder that resource challenges can also be design opportunities.”

The study’s results showed that the modified veneers exhibited reduced swelling and shrinkage under moisture exposure, and their dimensional stability also compared favorably with leading commercial products. These findings, Akinnuoye noted, could reshape how industry and policymakers view lower-grade timber.

“Thermal modification adds tremendous value to small-diameter wood,” she said. “It supports sustainable forestry, reduces waste, and opens new possibilities for structural use.”

While her research focused on flooring and siding, Akinnuoye sees broader potential, especially for countries like Nigeria, where concrete and steel dominate and timber use remains minimal despite the country’s abundant forest resources.

“Our construction sector relies heavily on imported materials,” she explained. “But Nigeria has the raw resources and the talent. If we invest in processing and modular systems, we can build faster, affordably, and sustainably.”

Now a Project Engineer with Andersen Construction, one of the Pacific Northwest’s leading contractors, Akinnuoye applies her engineering expertise to complex, high-tech projects while exploring how laboratory research can translate into scalable building solutions. Her exposure to modular construction has shaped her long-term vision for Nigeria: combining engineered timber with prefabricated systems.

“The next step is connecting what we know about thermally modified wood with modular housing,” she said. “Imagine using engineered timber made from small-diameter trees to produce prefabricated wall and floor panels for rapid housing construction. That’s a path that merges sustainability with accessibility.”

Adopting engineered timber and modular systems in Nigeria will require technical adaptation, skilled labor training, and modernized building standards, but the potential payoff is significant. Establishing local processing and treatment facilities could create thousands of jobs, promote sustainable forestry, and reduce reliance on imported materials. Meanwhile, off-site modular construction, already demonstrated internationally to reduce project timelines by 40-60%, could help meet housing demand far more efficiently.

Akinnuoye’s work aligns with global sustainability priorities, decarbonizing construction, promoting circular economies, and advancing climate-resilient design. It also supports Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, which aim to reduce emissions from construction through innovation in materials and methods.

“This isn’t about replacing concrete overnight,” she said. “It’s about expanding our material options, using science to make smarter choices, and creating housing systems that reflect both environmental realities and economic needs.”

Her next goal is to publish the CMEC findings and expand partnerships between universities, policymakers, and private developers.

“We don’t have to start from zero,” Akinnuoye said. “Nigeria already has a variety of strong, beautiful wood species; we just need to treat and use them in smarter ways. The knowledge is there; what’s missing is applying it locally.”

If adopted, engineered timber could transform Nigeria’s construction and forestry sectors, converting small-diameter trees once considered waste into affordable, durable homes. The bridge between research and real-world impact is already being drawn, and innovators like Modupe Akinnuoye are helping to design it.