Dr. Olarinre Salako
Research and technical leadership in energy, automotive systems, data and AI—alongside writing on Nigerian institutions, infrastructure and government.
Connected mobility · DecarbonizationSelected record
4-D seismic, reservoir simulation and methods for tracking injected carbon dioxide.
PatentsVehicle energy and emissionsInventions covering driver behaviour, powertrain information and vehicle carbon footprints.
Forthcoming bookThe Unfinished Nigerian ProjectEssays on state capacity, institutional design and Nigeria’s search for nationhood.
The common thread
The engineering work asks how physical and digital systems behave. The public writing asks why institutions so often fail to deliver the outcomes they promise.
Choose a field.
Featured Thought
Systems & Society
DOES President Bola Tinubu know that Alhaji Aliko Dangote says the cement he exports from Nigeria is cheaper than the cement he sells to Nigerians at home? If he does, has anyone in his government satisfactorily explained to him why? We, the people, demand an explanation. These questions have become necessary following disturbing findings by […]
Read the essaySystems & Society
Essays on electricity, federalism, public institutions, democracy and the practical work of governing Nigeria.
TODAY, I begin a four-part investigation into Nigeria’s power sector, drawing principally on Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) quarterly reports covering April 2025 to March 2026.
IT was refreshing to see Dr Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, on Seun Okinbaloye’s Politics Today on Channels Television last week. Few senior Nigerian public officials appear to explain government’s stewardship.
LAST week, I intended to discuss how record-breaking heatwaves are increasing demand for cooling, prompting the International Energy Agency (IEA) to warn of mounting pressure on electricity systems. Nigeria must treat grid restructuring and coordinated distributed energy systems as national priorities for affordable electricity, industrialisation and economic development. The question is: what electricity system should […]
Ideas
Short definitions of the concepts used repeatedly across the essays and research.
The infrastructure, markets and institutions involved in producing, moving and using energy.
How authority and responsibility are divided between federal, state and local government.
How constitutions, laws and administrative structures distribute authority and create incentives.
How a diverse federation builds common citizenship and political belonging.
The ability of public institutions to make policy, deliver services and enforce rules.
Research
Publications and projects in reservoir monitoring, carbon storage, transport electrification, connected vehicles, data science and AI.
Research Publication
Design of an automated seismic array for tracking the extent of injected CO₂.
Publication detailsResearch Publication
Using repeated seismic surveys to improve geological interpretation, reservoir simulation and production decisions during CO₂ injection.
Publication detailsResearch Publication
Analysis of how relative-permeability hysteresis and gas solubility affect CO₂ storage performance.
Publication details
Featured Book
Essays on State Capacity, Institutional Design, and Nigeria’s Search for Nationhood. A systems-oriented examination of constitutionalism, governance, infrastructure and national development.
Discover the bookMedia & Speaking
MEDIA↗Media Item
Interview on Nigerian economic reform, energy policy and governance.
MEDIA↗Media Item
Documentary segment on connected-vehicle data and research into transportation decarbonisation.
Media Item
Dr. Salako discusses electricity, agro-industrial growth, climate resilience and the role of technology in Africa’s energy future.
About
Salako has worked in university research, government-funded energy programmes, automotive technology and independent advisory roles. His technical work covers subsurface monitoring, carbon management, electrification, connected vehicles, data and AI.
Latest Writing
DOES President Bola Tinubu know that Alhaji Aliko Dangote says the cement he exports from Nigeria is cheaper than the cement he sells to Nigerians at home? If he does, has anyone in his government satisfactorily explained to him why? We, the people, demand an explanation. These questions have become necessary following disturbing findings by […]
TODAY, I begin a four-part investigation into Nigeria’s power sector, drawing principally on Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) quarterly reports covering April 2025 to March 2026.
IT was refreshing to see Dr Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, on Seun Okinbaloye’s Politics Today on Channels Television last week. Few senior Nigerian public officials appear to explain government’s stewardship.
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