Ogunmade Ogunlaja

Nigerian inventor who revolutionized West African agriculture through affordable irrigation systems

Ogunmade Ogunlaja (1912-1968) was a self-taught Nigerian engineer whose innovations transformed subsistence farming in West Africa. Born in Abeokuta, he created the first manually operated water pump using locally sourced materials, enabling farmers to irrigate dry-season crops. His Abeokuta Hydraulic System (1938) provided clean water to 10,000 households and became a model for community-managed infrastructure. During WWII, he developed portable irrigation kits that boosted food production by 300% in war-affected regions.

Ogunlaja's most significant contribution was the Tropical Crop Preservation Method (1952), using charcoal-based cooling systems to extend perishable goods' shelf life. This innovation reduced post-harvest losses by 70% and made Lagos a major agricultural exporter. Despite his technical brilliance, he refused patents to keep technologies accessible. His 1965 book Hands-On Engineering for Rural Africa inspired generations of African inventors.