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.
News Point Nigeria Sport reports that FUTO recorded a double victory at the competition, 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, while 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 winning projects from the two universities will now compete against innovations from 35 other countries for the world title at the Enactus World Cup in Brazil.
The projects were adjudged outstanding by a team of professionals, experts and business leaders from among innovations presented by 33 other universities that participated in the 2026 Enactus Nigeria National Competition Final, themed “Re-Imagining Transformation,” held in Lagos.
The projects were evaluated based on their relevance, innovation in proposing solutions, scalability, profitability potential and sustainability.
Speaking on the outcome of the competition, the Country Director of Enactus Nigeria, Michael Ajayi, said the projects showcased at the Final represented far more than an academic exercise.
“They reflect the ingenuity, resilience and determination of a generation committed to building a better Nigeria,” Ajayi said.
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.
Ajayi explained that the Final was the culmination of 12 months of rigorous work across 33 tertiary institutions in Nigeria, during which students identified social and environmental problems and developed solutions through business models designed to ensure that the innovations were directly relevant to the problems while also creating value for communities.
He 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 developing into sustainable business leaders who create practical solutions.
“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 said.
Ajayi added: “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 at the US Consulate General in Nigeria, praised Enactus Nigeria for its focus on transforming 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 at Julius Berger Plc, explained that the 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 confronting Nigeria’s construction and built-environment sector.
Mustapha added that achieving true change in the construction industry requires fresh ideas that are environmentally sustainable.