Meet 18 year old inventor building robots, hologram, mini radio station using local materials

At just 18, Abdulbasit Dauda Mohammed is already carving a name for himself in Nigeria’s growing grassroots tech ecosystem.

In an exclusive interview with Solacebase, the young inventor shared how he is developing robots, hologram devices, simple aircraft models, custom computer systems and a locally built data-storage machine, using mostly improvised materials and self-taught engineering skills.

Abdulbasit began his education at the Institute of Comprehensive Education for his primary school and later attended Hikma Science Academy. Although he wrote his WAEC and NECO examinations at Sheikh Abubakar Mohamed Gumi Secondary School due to personal challenges, he pushed forward academically and secured admission into the College of Health Sciences and Technology in Gusau, Zamfara State, where he studied Community Health.

But his true passion has always been engineering.

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“I started studying Community Health because I was 16 and that was what my parents wanted,” he said. “But I plan to switch to Engineering because that is where my mind really is.”

Inventing from Scratch with Local Resources

Driven by curiosity and a desire to solve everyday problems, Abdulbasit has built several prototype technologies. Among them are two robots, including a carton-based model and a metallic robot head, both powered partly by Python scripts that run on his phone and laptop.

“The first robot I control with my palm, but the second one works from my laptop,” he explained. “The iron head answers questions even though it has no body yet.”

He has also created: A hologram projection system used for displaying floating 3D images, especially helpful for medical students studying skeletal structures, simple aircraft models, built to understand aerodynamics, a mini computer system, which he calls a plane computer, a custom data-storage machine that connects directly to a computer to save files and a small radio station currently in development, aimed at sharing local news and educational programs.

According to him, all these projects are built to prove one point: that young Nigerians can create meaningful technology using the materials around them.

Tech for Education, Communication and Local Research

Abdulbasit believes that his inventions can support schools, enhance learning, and expand local communication.

“These tools can help education, local communication and simple research,” he said. “I want to help our schools and inspire other youths to start creating.”

The hologram device, in particular, has attracted attention for its potential use in science classrooms. He says it can project floating images of skeletons, organs and scientific diagrams, allowing students to visualize lessons more clearly.

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Big Dreams, Bigger Challenges

Like many young innovators across Nigeria, Abdulbasit faces major hurdles.

His biggest challenge is funding and the lack of access to advanced engineering equipment. Training facilities, electronics labs and specialized tools are expensive, leaving him to rely heavily on improvised materials and online learning.

“I need support for education, tools and mentorship,” he said. “Engineering schools and labs cost a lot.”

Despite these obstacles, he remains determined. He continues to work on new projects, including a home radio system, a mini-radar experiment and other small devices under his developing brand, Spooltech.

A Vision for Nigeria’s Tech Future

Looking ahead, Abdulbaset dreams of studying engineering abroad or in a top Nigerian institution, returning home with advanced knowledge to train young people and strengthen Nigeria’s technological capacity.

“I see myself becoming an engineer and helping Nigeria with science and innovation,” he said. “I want young people to believe they can build useful technology too.”