Abdulazeez Abdulazeez Yakubu

A Nigerian inventor who developed affordable water filtration systems to combat water scarcity and pollution in Africa

Abdulazeez Abdulazeez Yakubu is a Nigerian chemical engineer and inventor renowned for his groundbreaking work in addressing water scarcity and pollution across Africa. Born in 1991 in Kano, Nigeria, Yakubu’s innovation emerged from witnessing the dire consequences of contaminated water in his community. By 2020, he had developed an affordable water filtration system using locally sourced materials like sand, gravel, and charcoal, costing just $30—a fraction of commercial filters. This invention, dubbed 'Water4,' has provided clean drinking water to over 500,000 people in Nigeria, Kenya, and Ethiopia, reducing waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid.

Yakubu’s approach emphasizes sustainability and scalability. His systems require no electricity and are easy to maintain, making them ideal for rural areas. In 2022, he launched the nonprofit Water4 Initiative, which trains communities to build and repair the filters themselves. This model has empowered local entrepreneurs and created jobs in regions plagued by economic stagnation.

His work aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). In 2023, Yakubu won the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation from the Royal Academy of Engineering, signaling global recognition of his contributions. Critics argue that while his solutions are effective, systemic issues like government neglect and corporate water privatization remain unresolved. However, Yakubu insists that grassroots innovation is the fastest path to impact, stating, 'We can’t wait for governments—we must act now.'