csrreporters 
In a bold demonstration of its commitment to youth empowerment and sustainable development, Schneider Electric, in partnership with Enactus, has awarded €4,500 to Nigerian students at the 2025 Enactus Nigeria National Competition.
The annual competition, which brought together over 33 universities across the country, showcased student-led innovations addressing pressing community challenges in energy and sustainability.
Two flagship initiatives—the Battery Innovation Challenge and the Core Program—formed the highlight of the event, enabling young innovators to design technologies and entrepreneurial models that deliver real impact.
At the Battery Innovation Challenge, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JoSTUM) clinched first place with ENERGY, a breakthrough technology that converts plastic waste into carbon nanotubes to improve lithium-ion battery performance. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) secured second place with Cell Matrix, a machine learning battery management system, while Kaduna Polytechnic took third with SmartVolt, an adaptive charging algorithm designed to reduce energy waste.
Winners received €2,000, €1,500, and €1,000 respectively, fully sponsored by Schneider Electric.
JoSTUM also emerged as the National Champion of the Enactus Core Program with BettaCoal Energies, a clean cooking and eco-packaging startup producing smokeless briquettes, improved stoves, and biodegradable restaurant containers. The team will represent Nigeria at the 2025 Enactus World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand.
Speaking at the finals, Ajibola Akindele, Schneider Electric’s Country President for Nigeria, reaffirmed that “One of our core values is impact. Young innovators are already solving real problems, and they deserve platforms that can scale their work.”
Funmilayo Olakitan, Schneider Electric’s Access to Education Coordinator for West Africa, praised the students’ ingenuity, stressing the company’s broader goal to train one million youths by 2025, directly contributing to the (Affordable and Clean Energy), 11 (Sustainable Cities), and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
Michael Ajayi, Enactus Nigeria Country Director, added that the partnership is building capacity and inspiring sustainable entrepreneurship among a new generation of leaders.
The competition also drew energy and education stakeholders, reinforcing the role of public-private partnerships in driving youth innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth in Nigeria.
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