In 2013, a six-month strike disrupted academic activities across Nigerian universities. For Nathaniel Bolujoko, then a second-year undergraduate at Ekiti State University, it became a discovery.
He accompanied his father, a civil engineer at the Kwara State Water Corporation, to work. There, he spent time with the water quality team, observing how real-world processes ensured a clean water supply; that experience planted the seed for a future career in environmental science.
Nathaniel’s interest deepened during his master’s program in analytical chemistry at the University of Ibadan. He was introduced to the growing issue of pharmaceutical and personal care products in the environment, compounds that often escape public attention.
These contaminants, especially antibiotics and parabens, enter water bodies through improper waste disposal and are difficult to remove using traditional wastewater treatment methods.
“My interest in environmental contaminants truly began during my master’s degree at the University of Ibadan,” Nathaniel said. “I wanted to understand what these contaminants were, where they came from, and how they impacted our surroundings. That curiosity grew into a passion for research.”
Tackling contaminants in fertilizers and water systems
Nathaniel’s academic background spans a bachelor’s degree in chemistry education from Ekiti State University and a master’s degree in analytical chemistry. His current Ph.D. research in environmental science at Oklahoma State University, USA, focuses on how antibiotics persist in nutrient recovery systems.
These systems are designed to extract valuable nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen from wastewater for reuse as fertilizer. However, the presence of antibiotics in such fertilizers poses risks to human health and the environment.
“The problem is, 30% to 90% of antibiotics consumed by humans and animals are excreted through urine and faeces,” he said. “These compounds end up in the environment, often through wastewater systems that aren’t equipped to treat them. When such waste is processed into fertilizers, there’s a risk that antibiotics are carried along with it. That poses a long-term threat to health through antibiotic resistance.”
The World Health Organization has described antibiotic resistance as a major global health concern, with 1.2 million deaths linked to it in 2019, a number projected to reach 10 million annually by 2050, including up to four million in Africa alone.
Nathaniel’s research aims to reduce this risk by improving the safety of recovered phosphorus fertilizers through targeted removal of pharmaceutical contaminants during treatment processes.
His work also addresses the practical challenges researchers face in Nigeria and other low-resource settings. Measuring pharmaceutical residues in environmental samples often requires solid-phase extraction methods, techniques that rely on costly equipment and materials. To make detection more accessible, Nathaniel has contributed to the development of cellulose-based adsorbents: cost-effective materials that perform well in contaminant extraction and have the potential for commercial use.
“Access to the necessary research instruments is one of the biggest challenges back home in Nigeria. Without proper funding, you can’t carry out this kind of work,” he said. “That’s why part of my advocacy is not just about highlighting the issues but also working toward accessible solutions.”
Bridging the gap between research and real-world impact
Nathaniel’s research is not confined to academic journals. He actively seeks to translate scientific insights into real-world impact. By presenting at professional and academic conferences, he connects with industry stakeholders and policymakers, hoping to influence environmental practices and inform public policy. One of his long-term goals is to help build a national database of pharmaceutical and personal care contaminants in water to support data-driven decision-making.
Recognised for both his innovation and communication skills, Nathaniel was awarded first place in the 2024 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition at OSU’s Ferguson College of Agriculture, a challenge that required him to explain his Ph.D. research in three minutes to a non-specialist audience.
He also received the prestigious Robberson Summer Dissertation Fellowship in 2025 for his contributions to environmental science.
Beyond the lab and academic circuit, Nathaniel prioritises personal development. He regularly attends workshops, seminars, and online courses to build skills beyond his academic training.
“I take out time to read, write, and take courses that help me grow,” he said. “I also volunteer; it keeps me grounded and connected to real-world issues.”
Looking ahead, Nathaniel sees the future of environmental research in Africa as one that must move from problem identification to solution deployment. He advocates for the use of locally available materials, like eggshells or agricultural waste, in low-cost treatment technologies, and for stronger collaboration between researchers, industry, and government.
“My long-term vision is to protect the environment and promote sustainability,” he said. “Through my work, I hope to contribute to a safer world where water is clean, waste is treated responsibly, and people are not unknowingly exposed to harmful contaminants.”
