Undergraduates from six Nigerian universities, who made it to the final of the Energy Innovation Challenge at the fourth Annual International Week of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, wowed judges, observers and others with the various inventions they came up with to tackle the energy crisis in the country.
The students, comprising males and females, were drawn from UNILAG, Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo, Lagos, Trinity University, TU, Yaba, Lagos, Ladoke Akintola University of Science and Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA and the Federal University of Technology, Minna.
The participants were drawn into 13 teams and with each presenting its pitch to a panel of judges and observers from within and outside the country.In her remarks, the Vice Chancellor, UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, said her university has five innovation hubs to cater for different categories of human needs and exploits, “as there is an urgent need to recognise talents in young people.”
She added, “In 2017, we started focusing on entrepreneurship, I was Deputy Vice Chancellor then. Every grant we get we must judiciously use to get more presence in innovation and research. Energy is a major problem in Nigeria and we must focus on SMEs and that was why we partnered with SMEDAN and we have five innovation hubs on campus in various fields.
“They are open to all students and young people from within and outside the university. Industry mentorship is also encouraged. Our students get hands on experiences from those in industries. Being in teams will help you to learn to work with people and making impact. What you are doing here today is the beginning of a journey. Don’t give up and review your inventions and plans to meet with current demands of the society.”
The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Development Services, UNILAG, Prof. Ayo Atsenuwa, said UNILAG under Ogunsola is preparing future ready students who would impact positively on their world. She noted that universities and other research institutions were now focused on making research efforts transmissible to what would benefit the society and human kind.
Dr Olayinka Adewumi, the Acting Director, Innovation and Technology Management Office, UNILAG, explained that the 13 teams that made it to the final went through a series of assessments and hailed AFRETEC Network for funding the innovation challenge.
“All the teams that made it to the final were given N500,000 each and the top three will share N3 million prize money. It can even be higher. This is to bring out the ingenuity in the students. The students have mentors who guide them and we can see that they have shown that the country does not lack talents and people with creative ideas,” she stated.
The panel of judges and observers included Engr. Olusola Fafiolu, Engr. Adeyemi Jacob Akolade, Arch. Peju Fatuyi, Dr Cocin Venters of University of Cimerick, Ireland, Dr Birgit Penzenstadler of Chalmers Technical University, Sweden among others.
The judges and observers commended the presentations by the teams and offered advice in areas they could improve on.
