Posted on August 13, 2025
May you please briefly tell me about your character and background (birthplace, age, family structure, etc)?
My name is Mike Oluwaseun Ojumu and I’m South African–based Nigerian-born innovator born on 4 April 1995 in Katsina State, Nigeria. I’m the second of four children in a close-knit family. Raised by two dedicated parents, instilled from an early age with the values of integrity, discipline, hard work, and perseverance—principles that continue to underpin my personal ethos and professional practice.
From childhood, I exhibited an inherent curiosity for subsea mechanical systems and a determination to improve them. While many children were content to observe, I actively engaged in dismantling, repairing, and modifying everyday devices—turning play into an early apprenticeship in problem-solving, mechanical design, and innovation. These formative experiences became the foundation of my lifelong commitment to engineering excellence and applied innovation.
A pivotal influence was working alongside my father, who once told me, “If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.” This principle has guided my professional journey, motivating me to pursue ambitious, complex, and high-impact projects without hesitation. My time working with him also honed skills in precision, patience, and quality-driven execution, all of which are fundamental to high-stakes engineering and technical innovations.
Growing up in a developing region exposed me to both technological constraints and untapped opportunities. The absence of certain tools and systems did not deter me—it strengthened my resolve to design solutions that are functional, accessible, sustainable, and scalable. This mindset shaped my career trajectory into mechanical engineering, subsea robotics, and advanced offshore technology systems, fields where creativity, technical expertise, and operational practicality must coexist.
Today, my work spans the design and optimisation of electric-powered subsea crawlers for shallow and deep-ocean exploration, the enhancement of ROV systems for offshore mining operations, and the development of autonomous and remotely operated technologies for challenging marine environments. My approach integrates faith, multidisciplinary engineering knowledge, and visionary problem-solving to create solutions that advance technological frontiers while addressing real-world environmental and societal needs.
In every project, I apply the lessons of my formative years: dream boldly, engineer with precision, and innovate with purpose—ensuring that my work not only pushes technical boundaries but also delivers meaningful impact.
How would you describe your journey up to this level/ achievement and what level of education are you in?
My academic and professional trajectory has been guided by a clear strategic vision, steadfast determination, and a deep-rooted sense of purpose. From the outset of my career planning, I defined two primary objectives:
- To establish a deep-sea enterprise incorporating a dedicated training institution for subsea pilots, specialising in robotics and pioneering approaches to ocean robotics and innovation.
- To attain a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering with a specialisation in subsea robotics, with the long-term mission of developing integrated, interoperable systems that facilitate seamless communication and operational synergy between subsea robotic platforms and aerial electronic systems.
These objectives serve not only as personal milestones but as strategic pillars for advancing multidisciplinary marine technology capability, enabling the creation of robust, adaptive, and interconnected solutions for the next generation of ocean exploration and offshore industrial applications.
While my professional journey has not been without challenges—most notably financial constraints—these obstacles became a catalyst for deeper engagement in the field of ocean technologies. This strategic pivot expanded my technical breadth and firmly established my career within the marine technology and innovation sector, where Ocean Technology and Innovation now forms the central axis of my professional development.
I hold a National Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree, and Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, along with an ROV Pilot Technician II certification, supported by over five years of multidisciplinary experience in the maritime industry. My professional background spans roles as a navigator, technical engineering specialist, and contributor within Airial technology organisations. Additionally, my direct involvement in offshore mining operations has strengthened my capabilities in technical execution, operational planning, and project management within high-demand environments.
Presently, I am pursuing a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, specialising in subsea robotics and ocean technology systems. My doctoral research engages with advanced system dynamics, multidisciplinary engineering methodologies, and emerging technologies driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution in shallow-water ocean exploration. This work has refined my problem-solving proficiency, enhanced my expertise in complex system integration, and fostered a forward-thinking approach to innovative design—positioning me to deliver impactful contributions to the advancing domains of marine engineering, subsea robotics, and offshore technology systems.
What did it take for you to be where you are today and how do you feel about your achievement?
Reaching my current stage in both academic and professional development has demanded perseverance, dedication, patience, and sustained effort. From an early age, I pursued an ambitious vision despite operating within resource-limited environments, a reality that consistently tested and refined my resolve.
I remain profoundly grateful to God, whose belief in my potential has been integral to my personal and professional advancement. In 2021, His guidance provided not only the technical direction but also the strategic encouragement necessary to navigate complex research and innovation pathways within the highly specialised field of subsea engineering.
This journey has been characterised by extensive periods of intensive research and development, numerous cycles of design refinement, concept failures, and episodes of professional rejection. Each obstacle, however, has served as a catalyst for growth, strengthening my resolve and deepening my technical expertise.
While I recognise that significant work remains in achieving my long-term objectives, I am confident that my trajectory is both promising and strategically aligned with these goals. The milestones attained thus far stand as evidence of the resilience, engineering capability, and unwavering commitment necessary to deliver meaningful, high-impact contributions to the advancement of ocean technology and subsea innovation.
What can be your message to the prospective students to achieve what you have done?
Innovation often begins as a solitary vision—an idea that may not be immediately understood or embraced by others. In these moments, believing in yourself becomes not just a mindset, but a strategic advantage. Even if few people share your vision, remain steadfast and committed to transforming your concepts into tangible solutions.
The path to innovation demands more than creativity; it requires structured planning, disciplined execution, and an openness to continuous learning. Set clear objectives, define your pace, and integrate both short- and long-term milestones into your roadmap. Asking informed questions and seeking insights from mentors, peers, and diverse knowledge sources accelerates growth and fosters cross-disciplinary understanding—critical in any innovation-driven field.
Obstacles are inevitable in the pursuit of progress, whether they arise from technical limitations, resource constraints, or market resistance. Yet, these challenges are often catalysts for breakthroughs. By combining resilience, rigorous problem-solving, and faith in God’s guidance, innovators can navigate setbacks, refine their ideas, and achieve sustainable impact.
Ultimately, innovation is not just about the end product—it is about the journey of transforming vision into reality, inspiring others to believe that the seemingly impossible is within reach.
What was your research title and the focus of your research?
PhD – Rigid Multibody System Dynamics Analysis for Quadrotor Performance Enhancement of a Track Robotic Subsea Exploration Crawler; MEng – Development of an Electric-Powered Subsea Robotic Dredging Crawler.
This research advances the development of a next-generation, fully electric alternative to conventional hydraulically powered subsea dredging systems. Although hydraulic crawlers have been the industry benchmark for decades in marine resource exploration, they exhibit inherent limitations—most notably, reduced manoeuvrability due to complex multibody dynamic interactions, which can significantly contribute to operational downtime and reduced production efficiency.
The primary objective is to design and engineer a cleaner, more efficient dredging solution that overcomes these limitations, in alignment with global sustainability objectives for responsible ocean operations. By eliminating hydraulic systems, the proposed technology mitigates both mechanical inefficiencies and environmental hazards, thereby supporting the transition toward sustainable, high-performance subsea mining and dredging practices.
The doctoral research component applies rigid multibody system dynamics modelling to optimise the quadrotor propulsion configuration of the crawler. This optimisation targets improvements in mechanical performance, manoeuvrability, and hydrodynamic efficiency—key parameters for achieving higher operational throughput while maintaining a minimal ecological footprint.
Beyond its core technical objectives, the project seeks to establish a Multidisciplinary Centre of Excellence for Ocean Robotics to address the current absence of a dedicated, locally based capability in Africa.
The anticipated applications span offshore mining, oil and gas exploration, subsea infrastructure inspection and maintenance, and defence operations—specifically strategic subsea surveillance and rapid deployment capabilities. Furthermore, the initiative is positioned to drive economic growth through high-value job creation, technology incubation, and community-level skills transfer, bridging the critical talent gap in a sector poised for rapid expansion.
If fully implemented, this innovation has the potential to position Africa as a continental leader in ocean robotics and marine technology—advancing industrial capability, strengthening environmental stewardship, and shaping a new era of sustainable marine operations within the global blue economy.
What are your aspirations?
One of my foremost strategic objectives is the launch of the first scaled pretotype 120-kg shallow-water mining fully electric ROV crawler, equipped with multi-functional sensor arrays and advanced robotic capabilities, to be unveiled at the upcoming Africa Showcase for International Investors, alongside an integrated earth mineral processing plant. This pioneering platform will merge cutting-edge subsea engineering, autonomous navigation systems, and real-time environmental and operational data acquisition to redefine the efficiency, precision, and sustainability of shallow-water resource extraction.
This milestone will be supported by the establishment of a state-of-the-art indoor ocean testing facility—a purpose-built innovation hub dedicated to the design, prototyping, evaluation, and optimisation of next-generation autonomous and remotely operated ocean robotic systems.
A key component of this vision is the creation of a collaborative engineering network uniting naval architects, marine engineers, subsea engineers, technical specialists, and ROV pilots, thereby fostering cross-disciplinary expertise in marine robotics and subsea systems integration. This initiative will further serve as the foundation for Africa’s first inter-university ocean robotics collaboration and competition, aimed at advancing innovation, cultivating advanced problem-solving capabilities, and nurturing technical excellence among emerging industry leaders.
In the long term, my ambition is to establish a specialised ocean robotics enterprise in partnership with student innovators, evolving into a globally recognised provider of advanced subsea technologies and integrated engineering solutions. This enterprise will focus on delivering high-performance robotic systems and offering specialised services in ocean exploration, subsea mining, environmental monitoring, and offshore industrial operations—driving both technological advancement and sustainable marine industry growth worldwide.
How do you juggle between your busy schedule and family?
Managing the demands of an intensive research and development project alongside personal and family responsibilities has been a significant challenge. This project requires substantial time, energy, and focus, often necessitating extended periods of work and limited availability for social interaction.
In the early stages, my family, and close friends expressed concern about the reduced opportunities for calls, messages, and shared moments. However, as they came to better understand the scope and intensity of my work, we collectively established effective strategies to maintain meaningful communication — even if not on a daily basis.
Their patience, understanding, and unwavering support have been invaluable in enabling me to remain committed to my professional goals while still nurturing strong personal relationships. This balance, while not always easy, is sustained through mutual respect, adaptability, and a shared belief in the long-term vision of my work.
What do you do when you are not working to relax?
This project has been both technically challenging and highly rewarding, particularly given the operational constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the principal difficulties encountered was the procurement of specialised components, as rapidly evolving global import and export regulations resulted in significant delays in sourcing critical parts. An additional early-stage challenge involved the design and integration of the communication system, which required proficiency in multiple programming languages and the development of advanced algorithms to ensure seamless system functionality.
Despite these constraints, substantial progress has been achieved. Approximately 65% of the final electric-powered robotic subsea crawler was designed, engineered, and manufactured in-house during the course of my Master’s research. A key project milestone was reached on 9 November 2021, when the first prototype successfully underwent a 5.5-metre depth functionality test at a swimming pool. The crawler demonstrated exceptional operational performance, validating critical design parameters and confirming the viability of the engineering approach.
How is this project going to benefit the community?
This project is designed to generate tangible socio-economic and educational benefits, creating pathways for both immediate and long-term community impact. One of the primary outcomes will be the creation of job opportunities within the emerging ocean technology sector, directly supporting Africa’s participation in the global blue economy.
As development progresses, Africa is positioned to become the first to launch a dedicated indoor ocean testing facility, and to host the nation’s inaugural Inter-University Ocean Robotics Mining Competition — an event we are actively working to expand into an international platform. I have been quietly engaging with members of the global ocean robotics community, building collaborative networks to ensure that this initiative has both local and international relevance.
In coming year, the project will begin integrating students from Marine robotics, and other engineering disciplines, into practical ocean robotics development and operations. This engagement will:
- Inspire students to think innovatively, set ambitious goals, and explore new career pathways.
- Equip graduates with high-demand skills in autonomous systems, marine robotics, and ocean technology — significantly increasing their employability in global industries.
- Provide early exposure to high school students with an interest in marine engineering, offering them a clear starting point into ocean technology systems.
In the long term, with adequate resources and equipment, I aim to establish training facilities in township communities, delivering hands-on technical training in ocean technology, robotics, and innovation. This will help nurture the next generation of marine technology specialists, ensuring that Ocean Engineering Industries can draw from a pool of locally trained, highly skilled professionals.
In Layman’s terms, how does this electric powered robotic subsea dredging crawler work?
Operational Overview of the Electric-Powered Robotic Subsea Dredging Crawler
The electric-powered robotic subsea dredging crawler is a specialized underwater vehicle designed for efficient and environmentally sustainable seabed resource extraction. Its mobility is enabled by two independent drive systems, each controlled by a high-torque motor that actuates the left and right track arms. This configuration allows precise maneuvering — including forward and reverse motion, clockwise and counterclockwise rotation, and full 360-degree movement on the ocean floor.
The crawler’s watertight structural design ensures reliable operation in subsea environments, while its dual-pump dredging system enables both excavation and material transport:
- Primary Pump – Draws seabed materials through a venturi dredging nozzle, channels them via the main pump, and transfers the extracted resources through a riser pipeline to the surface support vessel for processing.
- Secondary Pump – Breaks up compact seabed material to facilitate efficient dredging and reduce mechanical strain on the primary system.
Control and communication are managed through a tethered umbilical cable, which transmits power, control signals, and real-time data between the crawler and the operator interface.
A key innovation in this design is the custom-developed control algorithm, which integrates a human–machine interface (HMI) for intuitive operation. This software architecture ensures smooth navigation, precise dredging control, and seamless coordination between mechanical, electrical, and software subsystems.
