Empowerment

French Energy Giant Schneider Electric Banks on Nigeria’s Students for Clean Energy Transition

Published

1 year ago

August 20, 2025

Peculiar Adirika

Schneider Electric Nigeria students lead innovation in clean energy, driving solutions to power Nigeria’s sustainable future through the 2025 Enactus competition

French energy giant Schneider Electric is banking on Nigeria’s students to drive the country’s clean energy transition.

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Partnering with Enactus, a global non-profit, the company wrapped up the 2025 Enactus Nigeria National Competition in Lagos, where over 30 universities pitched solutions to some of the country’s toughest energy challenges.

The initiative is part of Schneider Electric’s global pledge to train one million young people by 2025, a goal the company is advancing through partnerships in education and entrepreneurship.

Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, clinched the top prize in the Battery Innovation Challenge with its project ENERGIV, which converts plastic waste into carbon nanotubes to improve lithium-ion batteries, enhancing conductivity and extending battery life.

Ahmadu Bello University placed second with Cell Matrix, a smart battery management system that employs machine learning and embedded sensors to monitor battery health, detect anomalies and optimise charging cycles.

Kaduna Polytechnic took third place with SmartVolt, an adaptive charging algorithm that uses real-time sensor data to reduce energy waste and extend battery lifespan.

The winners received cash prizes provided by Schneider Electric: €2,000 for first place, €1,500 for second and €1,000 for third.

JoSTUM doubles victory with Core Programme win. JoSTUM also won first place in the Enactus Core Programme with its project BettaCoal Energies, a social enterprise producing smokeless briquettes, an improved air-circulating stove for faster cooking, and biodegradable food containers for restaurants.

Contributing our quota towards upskilling youths for the future is a key priority at Schneider. One of our core values is impact.

The project seeks to reduce health risks from traditional cooking fuels, create employment in underserved communities and improve the profitability of small businesses.

As national champion, JoSTUM will represent Nigeria at the Enactus World Cup 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, from September 25 to 28.

Country President of Schneider Electric Nigeria, Ajibola Akindele, MFR, said the contest highlights the company’s dedication to preparing young people for future challenges.

“Contributing our quota towards upskilling youths for the future is a key priority at Schneider. One of our core values is impact. Young people across communities are solving real problems, and our role is to support and empower them to do so on a bigger scale,” he said.

Access to Education Coordinator at Schneider Electric West Africa, Funmilayo Olakitan, noted that the initiative aligns with Schneider’s sustainability vision.

“It was truly rewarding to see how forward-thinking these youths are, developing entrepreneurial and business skills that will equip them for the future. For Schneider Electric, this is more than a partnership; it directly contributes to our global goal to train one million youths by 2025, while also advancing SDGs 7, 11 and 12,” she said.

Country Director of Enactus Nigeria, Michael Ajayi, stated, “The energy, creativity, and commitment demonstrated by these students reflect the power of youth-led innovation in addressing real-world challenges.

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“Through our partnership with Schneider Electric, we are not only building capacity but also inspiring a generation to take bold steps towards a more sustainable and equitable future.”

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State development

Bauchi Urges Girls to Pursue Education and Skilled Jobs

Published

2 days ago

October 26, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Bauchi girls’ education campaign urges students to complete school, learn vocational skills and pursue careers traditionally dominated by men

Girls in Bauchi State have been encouraged to complete their education, acquire vocational skills and pursue careers traditionally dominated by men as part of efforts to promote financial independence and reduce gender inequality.

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The call was made on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at an event in Bauchi to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.

The event was organised under the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Project in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria, Azurfa Women and Youth Development Initiative, and Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative.

Speaking at the event, Mustapha Idris, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative, said the annual observance aimed to raise awareness of girls’ rights and promote their well-being.

He said the programme was designed to encourage girls to explore a wider range of professions and address gender disparities in the workplace.

Idris urged students to use their school holidays to learn practical skills, including shoemaking and soap production, which could help them earn an income and improve their economic prospects.

“Girls should not feel ashamed of learning a trade or engaging in legitimate businesses. These skills can provide them with sources of income, promote financial independence and reduce their reliance on others,” he said.

Monica Tanko, Executive Director of Azurfa Women and Youth Development Initiative, urged the girls to remain committed to their education and avoid leaving school before completing their studies.

She also encouraged them to develop practical skills alongside their formal education, saying the combination could help prepare them for future challenges and employment opportunities.

Tanko stressed the importance of self-reliance while encouraging the students to maintain their personal dignity as they pursued their ambitions.

Timothy Ibrahim, an engineer with more than 20 years of professional experience, encouraged the students to consider engineering and other professions in which women have traditionally been underrepresented.

He urged them not to allow gender stereotypes to discourage them from pursuing their interests, adding that girls could excel when they had access to opportunities, encouragement and support.

His message reinforced the event’s call for girls to look beyond occupations traditionally associated with women and explore careers across technical and professional fields.

The event was attended by female students from several schools in Bauchi metropolis, including Rafin Zurfi, Bakaro, Unguwar Doya, Gudun Sayawa and the Federal Government Girls’ College.

The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually on October 11 to promote girls’ rights and draw attention to challenges affecting their development.

The Bauchi event used the occasion to highlight the importance of education, vocational training and access to a wider range of career opportunities.

The organisers’ message was that empowering girls requires more than keeping them in school.

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Access to practical skills, supportive role models and opportunities to enter different professions can also help young women build greater economic independence and participate more fully in their communities.