Godwin Babagbemi Alomaja validates Bill Gates’ 2018 description of young people as the world’s most valuable assets. His brainchild, the Automated Transfer Switch (ATS), allows users to automatically switch between the electricity distribution grid and an alternative power source like a generator.

The idea of automating the changeover is not entirely novel. However, the remote functionality of Alomaja’s transfer switch is unique. With his ATS, users can turn their generators on or off, not just from anywhere in their house but also from anywhere in the world.

Alomaja’s interview with FIJ gives him out as an innovator, problem solver and thinker. He shared more insight about the product, the highs and lows of business and what the future of the product looks like in the absence of adequate funding.

I DESIGNED THE ATS TO SAVE LIVES

Alomaja shares the belief that necessity is the mother of invention and innovation. But for him, the ultimate necessity is to save lives. He recounted how the tragic death of a man in Akure, Ondo State, inspired him to create a cheaper and automated alternative for the changeover switch.

“What use is my technical ability if I cannot prevent another man’s death?” Alomaja said. “I got the idea of the ATS in 2018 during my IT. I had just heard about the death of a student at the Federal University of Science and Technology in Akure. He died from electrocution. He was trying to change over from a generator to the electricity grid, and he was electrocuted.”

“I was worried because I knew he was not the only one that had to use switches. I also knew the situation was avoidable, so I got to work. I eventually arrived after making the ATS that will reduce contact with such switches to the barest minimum.”

Like the man in Alomaja’s story, William Badu was electrocuted to death in 2020, when he attempted to switch over from a generator set to the electricity grid in Delta State. Given that electrical instability is commonplace in Nigeria, anyone could have been Badu.

A June 2022 report by Stears and Sterling, for instance, estimated that 40 percent of the households in Nigeria use generators. This translates to more than 17 million households owning generators and change-over switches. With Alomaja’s innovation, more people are protected from meeting the same fate.

HOW DOES ATS WORK?

Alomaja told FIJ that the idea of a transfer switch is not entirely an innovation. The innovation, according to him, is his decision to make it remote-controlled. Speaking about the device itself, Alomaja gave an overview of the design process, the trial and the switches’ mode of operation.

“I had to try over and over again before I arrived at a compact design. I drew over and over again, and I had to run simulations before I eventually designed the ATS,” Alomaja said.

“The ATS worked at first attempt though. I did the first design when I was doing my IT at the Halogen Security Company in Abuja. I remember the excitement on my boss’ face when they took power and the generator came on. Everyone was surprised, and pleasantly too.”

“I know other people who have designed automated switches. But what sets this ATS apart, it is incorporated with a smart/remote control. That means that you can just tap on your mobile phone and your generator either starts or stops. So, aside from switching between power sources, you can use it to turn your alternative power sources on or off.”

“I designed it to detect power failure from city power and give the command to the generator to start and then transfer the entire load to the generator. Once power is restored, it transfers the load to city power and shuts down the generator.

“Also, you can time the generator, once the time elapses, it either starts or stops. This solution works seamlessly. You can conserve fuel, reduce power downtime and eliminate the risk of electrocution.”

‘I HAVE A TECHNICAL BACKGROUND’

FIJ asked Alomaja about his academic background and how much it contributed to his ideation process and the evolution of the ATS. His response was thought-provoking.

“University education is important. But it didn’t have much contribution to the ATS. Most of the things we did were theoretical and purely so. My practical knowledge comes from way back, farther than my admission into the university,” he said.

“First of all, I already have my diploma in electrical electronics engineering from the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State. I had considerable practical knowledge from there, especially on how to handle boards.”

“Before that, I went to a technical school where I had foundational knowledge in electrical electronics. So, yes, university education is important, but I cannot credit it for my technical knowledge.”

I AM NOT GOOD ON THE BUSINESS SIDE

Although Alomaja recorded some success with the ATS, he has not achieved much in terms of commercial viability. In his interview with FIJ, he consistently alluded to his novice status in business and profit-making.

While speaking about his market experience, Alomaja walked through his wins because of the ATS. In the same breath, he discussed the factors that have kept the product from full market penetration.

“Starting from the drawing to the design to the operation and the marketing of the ATS, it has been me. I have operated as a one-man team,” Alomaja said.

“I have recorded some successes as a result of the ATS. For instance, I was awarded as the student with the best project in my final year at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.”

“The ATS also earned me an award as the best corp member of the B batch of the 2021 NYSC set in Abuja. I donated one of the devices to the secretariat there. At the climax, I was a finalist and winner at the Ugwumba Enterprise Challenge in 2021.

“I won a million from the enterprise challenge. That is the most I have got for the ATS. I was able to build some devices with it, but it is nowhere near enough to set up.

“To set up, I need about N5 million. And I am not talking about building a team, optimising production, marketing and all that. I am just talking gadgets, machinery and a workshop.”

Alomaja shared that he’s sold approximately 50 units of the ATS. He ascribed this to his decision to prioritise immediate survival and comfort over venturing into the business ownership and management that the ATS could offer. He also discussed his concerns about Intellectual property and the cost of insurance.

“When I finished NYSC, I wanted to take the ATS business seriously and handle it full-scale. But money is important, survival is important as a young man. When I got an offer from Yola Electricity Distribution Company, I took it. Only a few people in my office know about it though,” said Alomaja.

“An ATS unit is not expensive. The cost depends on how large the capacity of the generator and the house are. It could cost as little as N15,000 for a bungalow. It could also go for millions for big structures like a secretariat.”

I know I still have a lot to do. I know I may need a team and a lot of support. When I tried to patent the ATS, for instance, I did not get positive feedback from the lawyer I spoke to. So, I recognise that I am not very good on the business side. I need funding; I need people.”