Amanze Chinonye
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has announced the emergence of the University of Port Harcourt and the University of Benin as winners of the South-South regional stage of the Nigerian Engineering Olympiad (NEO), following a keenly contested innovation showcase held at the Nigerian Content Tower in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Represented by innovation teams PROTRONICS and VHORDE respectively, the two universities secured the top spots after presenting technology-driven solutions aimed at addressing real-life challenges in Nigeria and across Africa.
The competition, launched in 2025 by Enactus Nigeria in partnership with the NCDMB, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company and the Nigerian Society of Engineers, is designed to promote engineering innovation, entrepreneurship and home-grown technological solutions among Nigerian university students.
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The two winning teams outperformed competitors from Igbinedion University, Federal University of Petroleum Resources and University of Uyo.
Team PROTRONICS of UNIPORT presented “KEYTRIC,” a smart energy door-lock system designed to automatically switch off electricity supply when users lock their homes before leaving.
According to the students, the innovation addresses concerns over high electricity bills, fire outbreaks caused by electrical appliances, and the high cost of conventional smart home systems.
The team said the product eliminates the need for complex wiring changes, integrates security with energy management, and does not rely on internet connectivity to function.
Meanwhile, Team VHORDE of UNIBEN showcased “IRIS” Intelligent Real-time Interface for Sight a wearable assistive technology developed for visually impaired persons.
The innovation combines smart glasses, depth sensors, artificial intelligence processors, haptic wristbands and voice interaction systems to help users identify objects, recognise familiar faces and navigate obstacles in real time.
The students said the device was developed in response to the challenges faced by millions of visually impaired Nigerians. They added that the system’s core functions can operate offline through Edge AI technology.
Speaking after the presentations, one of the judges and Manager of Institutional Strengthening at the NCDMB, Dokubo Obongo, described the showcased projects as “top-notch,” noting that the solutions demonstrated strong market potential and relevance to societal challenges.
Obongo said the Engineering Olympiad was created to encourage research-driven innovation from Nigerian universities and stimulate local solutions capable of creating business opportunities.
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Also speaking, the Country Director of Enactus Nigeria, Michael Ajayi, disclosed that the top two finalists from each of the six geopolitical zones would proceed to a boot camp ahead of the national championship.
He added that the three best teams at the national finals would share a N100 million prize pool, while each of the 30 teams participating in the regional competition would receive N3 million support grants for their prototype technologies.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
