L-R: Christian Mossmer, GM, Primetech; Dirk Hofrath, Senior Project Manager, Julius Berger; Shakira Mustapha, Risk and Sustainability Officer, Julius Berger; Michael Ajayi, Country Director, Enactus Nigeria; and Precious Ayara, Julius Berger during the Julius Berger Innovation Challenge Competition organized by Enactus Nigeria in Lagos
THE Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU) have emerged champions of the 2026 Enactus Nigeria National Competition and will represent Nigeria at the Enactus World Cup in Brazil later this year.
FUTO recorded a double victory, winning the Enactus Early Stage Final with its biofuel project and the Julius Berger Innovation Challenge with ALTAR, a robot designed to detect structural and construction failures. ABU clinched the Enactus Advanced Stage Competition Final with NeemPest, an IAR-certified multi-modal biopesticide that eliminates Tuta absoluta within 48 hours, and TomPa, a tomato processing brand designed to convert surplus tomato harvests into long-lasting powder and puree.
The projects will compete against winning innovations from 35 countries for the world title.
The projects from the two universities were adjudged outstanding by a team of professionals, experts and business leaders from among those presented by 33 other universities that participated in the 2026 Enactus Nigeria National Competition Final, themed “Re-Imagining Transformation,” which held yesterday in Lagos.
The projects were evaluated based on their relevance, innovation in proposing solutions, scalability, profitability potential and sustainability.
Michael Ajayi, Country Director of Enactus Nigeria, said the projects showcased at the Final represented far more than an academic exercise, stating: “They reflect the ingenuity, resilience and determination of a generation committed to building a better Nigeria.”
According to him, Enactus would continue to make a significant difference by nurturing entrepreneurs, innovators, ethical leaders and changemakers who understand that education finds its purpose when it is applied to solving real societal problems.
He explained that the Final was the culmination of twelve months of rigorous work across 33 tertiary institutions in Nigeria to identify social and environmental problems and develop solutions using business models that ensure the solutions are directly relevant to the problems and create value for communities.
Ajayi stressed that Enactus is focused on training Nigerian youths to become resilient, purposeful and value-driven future leaders capable of effecting change in the country, while also becoming sustainable business leaders who create solutions.
He 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.
“If properly inspired, motivated and supported, Nigerian youths can be extremely productive, highly innovative and globally competitive.”
Also speaking at the occasion, Casey Bonfield, Deputy Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate General, Nigeria, praised Enactus Nigeria for focusing on transferring classroom ideas and knowledge into practical solutions to societal problems.
He said exposing students to real-life challenges and enabling them to develop practical solutions would prepare them for the global market and help them build a great future, emphasising that “building a future starts with building people.”
In her remarks, Shakira Mustapha, Risk and Sustainability Officer, Julius Berger Plc, explained that her company believes in the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in shaping the future of Nigerians.
She said Julius Berger, in partnership with Enactus Nigeria, is supporting youth innovation and sustainable development by creating opportunities for students to develop practical solutions to challenges in Nigeria’s construction and built-environment sector.
Mustapha stated that achieving true change in the construction industry requires fresh ideas that are environmentally sustainable.
A.I
Aug. 15, 2026
Tags: ABU FUTO GM Primetech; Dirk Hofrath
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