From ABU Graduate to Inventor: Transforming My Mother's Bicycle into a Motorbike Inspired by my Quest for New Ideas
ABU graduate explains how cost of transportation and other things inspired him to convert mum's bicycle to motorbike
okpe chinenye 
Engineer James Umbugadu Enwongulu, a 31-year-old graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has demonstrated the limitless potential for innovation, particularly in Africa. Recently, he gained attention for constructing a motorbike entirely from locally sourced materials, showcasing his ingenuity and determination.
In an exclusive interview with a reporter from Within Nigeria, Enwongulu shared the story behind his impressive creation.
James Umbugadu Enwongulu hails from Nasawara Eggon, Nasarawa State, and was born on November 15, 1991. Following his secondary education in 2009, he secured admission to study Mechanical Engineering at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and graduated in 2018. Subsequently, he completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) assignment in Grand Cereals, Jos, from 2018 to 2019. Presently, he serves as an Assistant Lecturer at the Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Enwongulu's journey into crafting a motorbike began when he realized he could no longer afford conventional transportation, coupled with his intrinsic desire to explore novel ideas. Inspired by his mother's bicycle, he conceived the idea of purchasing an engine and integrating it into the bicycle frame to create a cost-effective motorcycle, as traditional motorcycles proved expensive.
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Building the motorbike took less than a week, but the complete assembly required over a month. While he could not provide an exact cost due to various expenses and setbacks incurred during the production, he sourced most of his materials from local scrap yards, discarded motorcycle parts, and even imported components from China.
Enwongulu acknowledged that some critics accused him of replicating existing designs. However, he emphasized the uniqueness of his work, highlighting the distinctive materials, design, build quality, durability, and functionality of his motorcycle. He stated that his creation was an original concept, born from his own imagination.
The motorcycle is more than a modified bicycle; it features a petrol engine and lacks pedals. It employs an internal combustion engine with four gears, a front wheel disc brake, and a rear wheel drum brake. Both brakes are hand-controlled, resembling a bicycle's brake system. He affectionately named his creation "Spiritual" due to its origin in his vivid imagination.
When asked about his aspirations in government, Enwongulu expressed a desire to contribute to the growth of science and technology in Nigeria. If given the opportunity to serve in the Ministry of Science and Technology, he emphasized a focus on talent discovery across various scientific and technological fields, such as automotive technology, information and communication technology, mining technology, and marine technology. He believes that these endeavors, coupled with effective management, can have a profound impact on the entire nation.
Enwongulu revealed that he has other confidential inventions in progress. He refrained from divulging further details at this stage.
Addressing Nigeria's lag in the field of Science and Technology, he cited a strong preference for foreign products over indigenous innovations. He stressed the need for more support, not just financially, but in terms of access to research facilities. Enwongulu also noted a tendency to shy away from learning and experimenting with new ideas. He pointed out the high cost of electricity and research materials as additional challenges, leading to wastage during experimentation.
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As a final word of encouragement, he urged the youth not to lose hope and emphasized their pivotal role in advancing the country. He suggested that hard work and creativity can pave the way for a brighter future and called for patience in the pursuit of progress.
