His early research focused on geophysics, reservoir simulation and techniques for monitoring injected carbon dioxide underground. At the Energy & Environmental Research Center in North Dakota, he worked on carbon capture, utilisation and storage, hydrogen and related energy programmes.
At Toyota, his work turned to transportation electrification, connected-vehicle data, energy management and the use of machine learning in mobility systems. He now advises through Emakemtos Inc. on energy, AI and sustainability strategy.
Salako also writes about Nigerian public affairs. His Systems & Society column examines electricity, federalism, policing, democracy, infrastructure and the capacity of public institutions to do what government promises. His forthcoming book is The Unfinished Nigerian Project.