Two Nigerian universities have earned spots at the Enactus World Cup in Brazil. They created solutions to issues in agriculture, food processing, construction, and energy.
The Federal University of Technology, Owerri, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, will represent Nigeria. They won at the 2026 Enactus Nigeria National Competition in Lagos.
FUTO stood out in two categories. Their biofuel innovation won the Enactus Early-Stage Final. Their ALTAR robot, which detects construction failures, won the Julius Berger Innovation Challenge.
ABU also impressed the judges with their projects. They won the Enactus Advanced-Stage Competition Final with NeemPest, a biopesticide that tackles Tuta absoluta in less than 48 hours. Their TomPa project, which turns extra tomatoes into powder and puree, received recognition too.
The winners were chosen from 33 other universities at the final event. This year’s theme was “Re-Imagining Transformation.” The winning teams will now compete against teams from 35 countries at the Enactus World Cup later this year.
A panel of professionals, experts, and business leaders judged the innovations. They looked at how relevant, original, scalable, profitable, and sustainable each project was.
At the event, Michael Ajayi, the Country Director of Enactus Nigeria, said the students showed that university education can solve community problems. He noted, “They reflect the ingenuity, resilience and determination of a generation committed to building a better Nigeria.”
Ajayi explained that the national final capped a year’s work by students from 33 universities. They identified social and environmental problems and created business solutions to tackle them.
He added that Enactus aims to raise a new generation of entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders. Ajayi said, “In the process of inspiring change, we transform the minds of participating students and prepare them for future success, whether as entrepreneurs or individuals.”
He also stated, “If properly inspired, motivated and supported, Nigerian youths can be extremely productive, highly innovative and globally competitive.”
Casey Bonfield, the Deputy Public Affairs Officer at the US Consulate General in Nigeria, praised Enactus for helping students apply classroom knowledge to real-life issues. He said this exposure prepares them for the global market, adding, “Building a future starts with building people.”
Shakira Mustapha, Risk and Sustainability Officer at Julius Berger Plc, emphasized the need for collaboration among stakeholders. She said Julius Berger’s partnership with Enactus Nigeria supports youth innovation and sustainable development. Mustapha pointed out that new ideas are crucial for lasting change in the construction industry.
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