It was a bee-hive of activity, energies rising, ideas bursting and innovations brimming at the Nurudeen Alao (DLI), University of Lagos, venue of the grand finale of the Professor Ogundipe Innovation Challenge (POIC) 3.0.
With the theme: Empowering Thinkers; Science for a Sustainable Future, POIC 3.0 received over three hundred (300) entries from universities across the nation. However, only seven (7) made it to the finals.
POIC 3.0: Potpourri of Innovative Ideas
Held on Thursday, November 27, 2025, POIC 3.0 Finale was a potpourri of groundbreaking ideas aimed at providing solutions to various socio-economic challenges. However, one team: Team Sustainable Agriculture Optimisation Tool (SAOT) walked away with the first prize of ₦1.5 million. SAOT comprising Amoo Taiwo, Bello Abdullahi, Emmanuel Lafenwa, and Azeez Fatiha, students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), scored 84 points with their trailblazing tool designed to revolutionize agricultural efficiency.
Students of the University of Lagos secured the second and third positions as Team Skypo and Team Prime scored 73.4 points and 70.6 points, respectively. Team Skypo with their innovative Nigeria’s Smart Grid Overhaul project which leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predict and minimize potential grid collapses across the country, went home with ₦1, 000,000:00 while Team Prime got ₦750,000:00 for Botanical Serum, a dynamic personal care product designed to combat body odour by targeting and eliminating the bacteria responsible for it.
For the other four teams that got to the finale of the competition, former leads of POIC Planning Committee, Prof. Kehinde Kemabonta and Prof. Temitope Onuminya announced ₦250,000:00 consolation prizes and also additional funding for any projects requiring further support.
These teams are:
- Team Smart Agro (Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH): 4th position
- Team CIPDS (Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH): 5th position
- Team Kanjifly (Federal University of Technology, Minna): 6th place
- Team SAMS (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria): 7th position
POIC 3.0: Platform for Inspiring Speeches and Recognition Awards
POIC 3.0 was not just about healthy competition among students as it also featured several thought-provoking and action-inspiring speeches by the Director, Quality Assurance and Servicom, Prof. Olufemi Saibu who represented the UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS as well as distinguished individuals including:
- Keynote address by the Special Adviser to Governor on e-GIS and Planning Matters, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, who doubled as the representative of the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu;
- Remarks from the:
i. Chairman of the occasion and Vice President, UNILAG Alumni Association Worldwide, Mr. Lekan Ajisafe;
ii. POISF Board Chairman and former Dean of the then Faculty of Science, Prof. Elijah Oyeyemi
iii. Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences, Prof. Ganiyu Oyetibo.
- Goodwill message delivered by the Director, Administration and Human Resources, Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Kudirat Aderonke Bello, on behalf of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.
Recognition awards were presented to the Keynote Speaker, Dr. Olajide Babatunde; Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Lekan Ajisafe and the following esteemed judges:
- Mrs. Olajumoke Alaka (Senior Manager, South West Zonal Office, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)),
- Dr. Victor Sobanke (Assistant Director of Research, National Centre for Technology Management & President, System Dynamics Society, Nigerian Chapter),
- Prof. Miriam Igwo-Ezikpe (Professor of Environmental Biochemistry and Chairman of the Leadership Committee for the African Research Security Consortium (ARSC)),
- Dr. Chika Yinka-Banjo (Director, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Laboratory (AIRLab) and Head, Department of Computer Science), and
- Dr. Olawarotimi Fashola (Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems).
Prof. Oluwatoyin Odundipe, FAS, the 12th UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, and current Director of TETFund Centre for Excellence in Biodiversity Conservation & Ecosystem Management (TCEBCEM) and Pro-Chancellor, Redeemer’s University, Ede, for whom the innovative challenge was named, used the opportunity provided by the gathering of distinguished members of the university, industry partners, and Lagos State government officials to make strategic requests to strengthen collaboration between academia and government. These requests including IT placements, staff attachments, and graduate employment opportunities, received positive commitments appropriately.
POIC
Professor Ogundipe Innovative Challenge (POIC) is a platform for students and young entrepreneurs (ages 16–35) across Nigeria, to foster entrepreneurship and showcase innovative ideas in diverse areas such as Agriculture, health, technology, Software Engineering, sustainability and Security.
The initiative provides young Nigerians the opportunity to develop innovative solutions for real-world problems, with offers of financial and institutional support to winners.
POIC is more than a competition, it is a movement – fueling creativity, rewarding brilliance, and shaping Nigeria’s future through science and technology.
Author: Ndidi J. Odinikaeze
Editor: Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem
Photographer: Abdul-rahmon Sulaimon
