By Ademola Adekusibe
6th December 2025
The grand finale of the Professor Ogundipe Innovation Challenge (POIC) 3.0 held at the Nurudeen Alao Auditorium (DLI), University of Lagos, on Thursday, November 27, 2025, drew together some of the brightest young innovators from across Nigeria in a spirited contest of ideas focused on science, technology, and sustainability.
With the theme “Empowering Thinkers; Science for a Sustainable Future,” the competition received over 300 entries from universities nationwide, out of which only seven teams advanced to the finals.
Team Sustainable Agriculture Optimisation Tool (SAOT) from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) emerged the overall winner, scoring 84 points to clinch the ₦1.5 million grand prize. The team—comprising Amoo Taiwo, Bello Abdullahi, Emmanuel Lafenwa, and Azeez Fatiha—developed an agricultural optimisation tool designed to revolutionise efficiency in the sector.
The University of Lagos secured both second and third positions. Team Skypo placed second with 73.4 points, earning ₦1 million for its Smart Grid Overhaul project, which applies Artificial Intelligence to predict and reduce grid collapses. Team Prime came third with 70.6 points, receiving ₦750,000 for developing Botanical Serum, a personal care innovation targeting bacteria that cause body odour.
Four other finalist teams received ₦250,000 each as consolation prizes, alongside additional funding for projects requiring further development. They include Team Smart Agro (LAUTECH), Team CIPDS (LAUTECH), Team Kanjifly (Federal University of Technology, Minna), and Team SAMS (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria).
The event featured goodwill messages and keynote sessions delivered by top government officials, industry experts, and senior academics. The Director of Quality Assurance and Servicom, Prof. Olufemi Saibu, represented the UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Olajide Babatunde, Special Adviser on e-GIS and Planning Matters, representing Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Other notable speakers included the Chairman of the occasion and Vice President of the UNILAG Alumni Association Worldwide, Mr. Lekan Ajisafe; Chairman of the POISF Board and former Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. Elijah Oyeyemi; and Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences, Prof. Ganiyu Oyetibo. A goodwill message was also delivered on behalf of the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, by Mrs. Kudirat Aderonke Bello, Director of Administration and Human Resources at the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment.
Recognition awards were presented to the keynote speaker and the panel of judges, which included: Mrs. Olajumoke Alaka (NITDA), Dr. Victor Sobanke (National Centre for Technology Management), Prof. Miriam Igwo-Ezikpe (African Research Security Consortium), Dr. Chika Yinka-Banjo (Director, AIRLab, UNILAG), and Dr. Olawarotimi Fashola (Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems).
The event also provided an opportunity for the former UNILAG Vice-Chancellor and current Director of TETFund Centre for Excellence in Biodiversity Conservation & Ecosystem Management (TCEBCEM), Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, to advocate for deeper collaboration between academia, government, and industry. He called for increased IT placements, staff attachments, and employment pathways for graduates. His requests received favourable responses from government representatives in attendance.
The Professor Ogundipe Innovation Challenge (POIC) is a national platform designed to empower young Nigerians between ages 16 and 35 by supporting innovative solutions in agriculture, health, technology, software engineering, sustainability, and security. Beyond being a competition, POIC positions itself as a movement committed to fostering creativity, recognising brilliance, and advancing scientific and technological development across Nigeria.
