Harnessing Nuclear Science to Power Nigeria: Dr. Samuel Ajayi’s Pioneering Work in Health Care and Energy Sectors

In an exclusive interview with LightRay! Media, Dr. Samuel Ajayi, a newly minted PhD graduate in Nuclear Physics from Florida State University, shares his inspiring journey from Aramoko, Ekiti State, to the cutting-edge laboratories of the United States. Driven by a passion for transformative change, he is now setting his sights on using nuclear science to address Nigeria’s pressing energy, medical, and technological challenges.

A Passion for Physics

Dr. Ajayi’s journey into nuclear physics research began with a love for sciences, particularly physics and chemistry. “I went to a science school in Nigeria, secondary school, and then I loved sciences, generally, physics, chemistry, maths, not biology, but physics and chemistry,” he recounts. His interest in physics was sparked by a fellow student who suggested he choose the subject. “Someone who studied physics just said, why don’t you choose physics? I just said yeah Physics? I chose Physics and then I started studying physics, and I was doing well.”

From Condensed Matter to Nuclear Physics

During his Master’s program at the University of Ibadan, Dr. Ajayi specialized in Radiation and Health Physics. However, it wasn’t until he attended grad school in the US that he discovered his true passion for nuclear physics. “Coming for PhD, actually, I wanted to study Condensed Matter, but, you know, just listening to some of those talks in grad school, professors will give talks… and my advisor was just talking about nuclear physics research, which they do. And I just said, Oh, this is beautiful, like it’s related to Radiation and Health Physics and the likes.”

Unlocking the Power of Nuclear Science

Dr. Ajayi’s research focuses on studying the excited states of nuclei, which can directly benefit Nigeria’s healthcare, security, and energy sectors. “What nuclear simply means is the plural of nucleus; nucleus is the tiny, central part of an atom,” he explains. “The idea is to be able to tap into the energy of the nucleus.” His work can help develop new cancer treatments, generate clean energy, and improve national security through advanced materials detection.

Applications in Healthcare

Dr. Ajayi’s research has significant implications for cancer treatment. “Some of the radioisotopes which are used in curing cancer, they emit gamma rays, the same gamma rays like I’m talking about, which I detect,” he says. By understanding the properties of these radioisotopes, Dr. Ajayi’s work can help identify the most effective treatments for specific types of cancer. For instance, he mentions the use of cobalt-60 in radiotherapy, which is already being used in some Nigerian hospitals, such as the University College Hospital (UCH). “If you want to understand the nuclear structure, that is what I do,” he explains. “My study will be able to say, in this radioisotope or in this isotope, or in this nuclear as the case may be, these are the gamma rays that are present in this nucleus.”

Energy and Security Applications

In addition to healthcare, Dr. Ajayi’s research can contribute to Nigeria’s energy sector. “For you to know what nucleus should combine together? What nucleus should give fission of let’s say uranium 235, for example, you shoot a neutron to it, and it causes a fission,” he explains. His work can also enhance national security through advanced materials detection using gamma spectroscopy. “Gamma spectroscopy is a way of identifying what the materials are using gamma rays,” he says. “Let’s say Boko Haram… wants to smuggle some very terrible radioactive material into the country. I as a person, my research or my method, can help to identify what these materials are.”

Particle Accelerators and Radioisotope Production

Dr. Ajayi highlights the importance of particle accelerators and radioisotope production for cancer treatment. “Nigeria can actually do it,” he says, citing the example of Professor Ani Aprahamian, who helped Armenia establish a radioisotope production center. “They have a first-ever Nuclear Medicine Center in Armenia, nuclear medicine,” Dr. Ajayi notes. He explains the process of creating radioisotopes using particle accelerators, such as producing cobalt-60 by combining carbon-12 with titanium-48. “The particle accelerator will do is to accelerate my carbon 12, right, accelerate it at a very high energy and match it with the titanium 48… When those gamma ray energy starts, really when the cobalt 60 start releasing gamma ray energy, those are the energy that can be used to treat those cancerous cells.”

Isotopes and Radioisotopes

Dr. Ajayi explains the concept of isotopes and radioisotopes, using the example of carbon-12 and carbon-14. “Isotopes are basically chemistry terminologies, they are elements that have the same atomic number but different mass number,” he says.

“The first thing that comes to many people’s mind when they think nuclear physics, they think about bombs, really, it’s not. It’s much more than that. The idea is to be able to tap into the energy of the nucleus. You’ve heard about the atomic bombs and the likes, they use the atomic energy, but there is a difference now in the nuclear energy, which pushes much more stronger. So what I do basically studying the excited state of nucleus of different nucleus elements, or atomic elements. At the core of the element is the nucleus, and the nucleus is consists of protons and neutrons. So for each neutron, you can study what their energy level is. When I say energy level means, it’s possible that you have nucleus in a ground state, and it’s possible to give energy to nucleus. When you give energy to nucleus, they get excited.”

Overcoming Challenges

Dr. Ajayi acknowledges that there are challenges to implementing nuclear science in Nigeria, including the need for significant investment in infrastructure and personnel. However, he believes that these challenges can be overcome with determination and collaboration. “We need to change priorities, if we really want to be serious, let’s be serious,” he reiterates. Dr. Ajayi also emphasizes the importance of international collaboration and knowledge-sharing in advancing nuclear science research in Nigeria.

Inspiring the Next Generation

As a role model for young Nigerians, Dr. Ajayi’s achievements serve as a powerful inspiration for the next generation of scientists and researchers. He encourages young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, highlighting the potential for innovation and impact. “If you have a passion for science, pursue it,” he advises. “Don’t be deterred by challenges or setbacks. With hard work and determination, you can achieve your goals and make a difference in the world.”

A Message to Nigerians

Dr. Ajayi’s message to Nigerians is one of hope and optimism. He believes that with the right investments in science and technology, Nigeria can overcome its challenges and achieve greatness. “We have the potential, we have the talent, and we have the resources,” he says. “Let’s harness them to build a better future for ourselves and for future generations.”

A Call to Action

Dr. Ajayi emphasizes the need for Nigerian leaders and institutions to prioritize investment in nuclear science. “Research is expensive, very true,” he acknowledges, but notes that the benefits far outweigh the costs. “We need to change priorities, if we really want to be serious, let’s be serious,” he urges. By investing in nuclear science, Nigeria can become a leader in innovation and development. He cites the example of a lab facility for radioisotope beam that cost over $700 million to upgrade, comparing it to the $897 million spent on the Warri refinery. “We can’t keep buying $50,000 car for senators, when four or five cars can buy global detectors,” he says.

Bringinging Nuclear Science to Nigeria

Dr. Ajayi is committed to bringing his knowledge back to Nigeria and partnering with local institutions to revive science labs and share equipment from abroad. “I’m always readily available, if Nigeria deems it necessary that should benefit the country, I’m definitely always available to contribute my own quota,” he says. He plans to collaborate with institutions in Nigeria to acquire equipment that is no longer being used in the US, and to help establish nuclear physics research programs in the country. “I know there are some facilities in Nigeria, for example, in Obafemi Awolowo University OAU there is 1.7 MV tank accelerator which I know they use for some type of research there,” he notes.

A Vision for the Future

Dr. Samuel Ajayi’s journey is a testament to the power of passion and dedication. His work has the potential to transform Nigeria’s healthcare, energy, and security sectors, and he is committed to making a meaningful impact. As he looks to the future, Dr. Ajayi remains optimistic about the potential for nuclear science to drive positive change in Nigeria. “If we are able to say, oh, this is what we have calculated from our experiment, this is what we have done, those who want to apply it try to apply it, if they are not getting it to work, you know, we re-do the experiment and say that, okay, well, we are really seeing this energy there,” he says, highlighting the potential for collaboration and innovation in nuclear science.

With his expertise and dedication, Dr. Ajayi is poised to make a significant contribution to Nigeria’s scientific and technological development. As the country looks to harness the benefits of nuclear science, Dr. Ajayi’s work serves as a powerful reminder of the potential for innovation and progress.

Dr. Samuel Ajayi’s story is a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and hard work. His commitment to advancing nuclear science research in Nigeria is an inspiration to us all. As he looks to the future, Dr. Ajayi remains optimistic about the potential for nuclear science to drive positive change in Nigeria. With his expertise and dedication, he is poised to make a significant contribution to the country’s scientific and technological development.