Schneider Electric, in partnership with Enactus, has empowered Nigerian university students to develop sustainable solutions tackling real-world community challenges, culminating in the 2025 Enactus Nigeria National Competition held at the Civic Centre, Lagos.
The annual event featured two flagship initiatives — the Battery Innovation Challenge and the Core Programme — drawing participants from over 33 federal, state, and private universities nationwide. After a year of preparation, teams showcased projects focused on sustainable waste recycling, battery efficiency, and community impact.
In the Battery Innovation Challenge, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JoSTUM) clinched first place with ENERGIV, a groundbreaking solution that converts plastic waste into carbon nanotubes to boost lithium-ion battery conductivity and lifespan. They won €2,000 for the innovation. Ahmadu Bello University placed second with Cell Matrix, a smart battery management system powered by machine learning, while Kaduna Polytechnic took third with SmartVolt, an adaptive charging algorithm that reduces energy waste.
JoSTUM further cemented its dominance by winning the Enactus Core Programme with BettaCoal Energies, a sustainable energy initiative, earning the national championship title. They will represent Nigeria at the Enactus World Cup 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, from September 25 to 28.
Schneider Electric Nigeria’s Country President, Ajibola Akindele, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to youth development, saying, “One of our core values is impact. Young people are solving real problems, and our role is to support and empower them to do so on a bigger scale.”
Access to Education Coordinator, Schneider Electric West Africa, Funmilayo Olakitan, praised the creativity of participants, noting the initiative aligns with Schneider’s goal to train one million youths by 2025, directly contributing to SDGs 7, 11, and 12.
Enactus Nigeria Country Director, Michael Ajayi, described the competition as proof of the transformative potential of private sector–academia collaboration, adding, “We are building capacity and inspiring a generation to take bold steps toward a sustainable and equitable future.”
The 2025 finals were attended by key industry representatives, including Omobolanle Omotayo, Marketing Manager for Anglophone West Africa at Schneider Electric, and Adebayo Agbaje, Business Development Manager, A2E, Schneider Electric.