Chevening Scholar Sodiq Usaefat is using his MSc at Imperial College London to advance sustainable infrastructure materials research, helping reduce the carbon impact of construction in Nigeria and across Africa.
Prior to being awarded a Chevening Scholarship, Sodiq Usaefat worked as a civil and structural engineer in Nigeria, where he spent six years contributing to infrastructure and real estate projects across both private and public developments. He also worked in climate-tech startups focused on sustainable construction materials and was involved in youth climate leadership efforts. These experiences inspired him to combine engineering and materials innovation to decarbonise infrastructure systems.
Today, he is focused on advancing sustainable materials research to help decarbonise cement and concrete.
‘Materials are not just technical inputs in infrastructure; they determine the environmental footprint of entire cities. Reimagining them is essential if we are serious about climate resilience and sustainable development.’
Sodiq’s Chevening Scholarship is co-funded by Lloyd’s Register, a global professional services organisation that specialises in engineering and technology for the maritime industry.
With a goal to develop future leaders who are passionate about shaping a safer, more sustainable world, Lloyd’s Register sponsors Chevening scholars from Namibia, Nigeria, Angola, and Mozambique who choose to study maritime and engineering related master’s degrees.
Sodiq was particularly passionate about studying in the UK due to its unique ecosystem where research, policy, and industry come together to accelerate climate innovation and infrastructure.
He is currently pursuing his MSc in Advanced Materials for Sustainable Infrastructure at Imperial College London, where he is exploring how material science and engineering research can directly support infrastructure decarbonisation.
For Sodiq, the UK represents a living environment for observing how net zero ambitions translate into engineering practice and large-scale infrastructure transformation.
‘I wanted to be in a place where research is closely connected to real-world implementation, where ideas move from laboratories into infrastructure systems.’
At Imperial, he is engaging with research on low-carbon materials, circular economy, approaches, and the reuse of industrial byproducts in construction.
One of the most valuable aspects of Sodiq’s Chevening experience has been the global networks he’s gained.
Through the Chevening Sustainability Ambassadors Initiative, he has worked with fellow scholars to design sustainability workshops and contribute to climate discussions across the UK. Together, they also organised a seminar at Imperial College London on Carbon Capture and Storage, exploring its role in decarbonisation pathways.
He has also engaged in policy discussions at the Commonwealth Secretariat, contributing to youth-focused climate and health conversations ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
A significant moment of his journey was also attending a reception at St James’s Palace, where he joined members of the Nigerian diaspora who were invited in recognition of their contributions across sectors ahead of the Nigerian presidential state visit.
‘These experiences constantly remind me that engineering is not only technical; it is deeply connected to policy, leadership, and the future of societies.’
Sodiq’s long-term goal is to develop and scale locally sourced sustainable materials for Nigeria’s infrastructure sector, helping address the country’s infrastructure gap while reducing carbon emissions.
Ins the spirit of Lloyd’s Register’s partnership with Chevening, he also hopes to contribute to training and mentoring the next generation of Nigerian engineers through teaching, workshops, and collaboration with universities and technical institutions.
‘I want to help build a future where infrastructure development is not only about expansion, but about sustainability, resilience, and local innovation.’
Sodiq is using Chevening to build the expertise, global networks, and leadership perspective he needs to transform how infrastructure materials are designed and used in emerging economies. We can’t wait to follow his journey.
Sodiq Usaefat, MSc Advanced Materials for Sustainable Infrastructure and Sustainable Imperial Ambassador.
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