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The final round of the Coderina University Challenge (COUCH) is approaching, with the Top 10 student innovation teams gathering at the National Universities Commission (NUC) Secretariat in Abuja on 20th November 2025.

COUCH, a program launched by the Coderina Education and Technology Foundation, aims to foster innovation, imagination, and critical thinking among students in Nigerian higher education institutions. The 2025 version has attracted impressive engagement from universities throughout the country, as students create solutions that tackle practical issues using technology, research, and business ventures.

The grand finale this year is particularly meaningful as it aligns with Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW)—a global event honoring pioneers and job creators under the theme “Together We Build.” This synchronization highlights Nigeria’s dedication to fostering a new wave of innovators who can promote inclusive growth and sustainable development through science, technology, and innovation.

Representatives from the government, educational institutions, businesses, and the private sector are anticipated to participate in the event, aiming to observe the creativity of Nigeria’s emerging inventors and identify opportunities for cooperation, guidance, and financial support.

Ahead of the event, Olajide Ademola Ajayi, founder of Coderina, highlighted the significance of promoting education driven by innovation and closing the divide between academic learning and industry requirements.

The COUCH initiative remains a national stage for demonstrating how young Nigerians are leveraging innovation and technology to reshape tomorrow.

Meet the teams:

1. Nile University of Nigeria – Neuronaut Robotics: The group created Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) intended for examining underwater pipelines, seeking to tackle the significant problem of corrosion and wear that can cause oil and gas leaks.

2. Kwara State University – Team Green: They developed SUNPOD, a mobile solar energy unit intended to tackle Nigeria’s substantial power shortage. The initiative seeks to deliver cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and standalone electricity for illumination and charging devices, serving rural households, students, local enterprises, and medical centers.

3. Federal University of Technology Akure – Team CIRCLE: The group developed an intelligent waste management system that integrates mobile technology, IoT-enabled smart bins, and AI-powered waste classification to tackle Nigeria’s waste management issues by simplifying disposal, offering incentives, and utilizing data for a cleaner environment and a circular economy.

4. Ahmadu Bello University – Pup Industries: Implements a Plastic to Paint (P2P) program, tackling the worldwide problem of plastic waste, especially in Nigeria, by converting low-density polyethylene and polystyrene into environmentally friendly paint that repels mosquitoes.

5. Federal University of Technology Minna – Waste2light: This initiative is aimed at converting waste materials into sustainable energy options. Waste2Light specializes in supporting marginalized communities by developing cost-effective, off-grid power systems using recycled materials, along with offering youth training in manufacturing and clean energy technologies.

In addition to current offerings, the company is working on new technologies such as hybrid energy systems designed for regions prone to flooding and environmentally friendly charcoal blocks made from rice husks.

6. Lagos State University – ScrapLink: ScrapLink functions as an online platform that links independent scrap metal vendors with verified purchasers, focusing on a neglected segment in Lagos, Nigeria. It tackles shortcomings within the scrap sector by utilizing artificial intelligence for sorting and assessing materials, implementing a two-step verification process for deals, and offering combined shipping services.

7. Adamawa State University – ADSU Fresh Innovators: This initiative aims to create an environmentally sustainable lubricant grease using polyethylene waste, tackling the adverse effects of plastics on human health and the environment. The method includes chemically transforming cut-up plastic waste into a synthetic oil, which is subsequently mixed with additives to produce the lubricant.

8. Imo State University – Team IMSU: This initiative seeks to convert palm oil waste into renewable energy and biochar. The system tackles environmental challenges such as CO₂ emissions and offers solutions for rural areas without access to clean cooking fuel. The digester produces biochar for soil improvement, biogas for heating, cooking, and power generation, and captures CO₂ for sale to industries or carbon credits.

9. Kaduna State University – ReGenX: Wrap2Grow is a project aimed at creating a biodegradable packaging material that can be transformed into organic fertilizer once it is no longer needed.

10. Igbinedion University – EcoCircular Labs: EcoCircular concentrated on converting palm oil waste into an eco-friendly biofertilizer in Nigeria, particularly in the Okada area. The main issue tackled is the significant environmental damage resulting from the incorrect disposal of Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) and Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME), which contaminates soil and water and leads to greenhouse gas emissions. The suggested approach includes anaerobic co-digestion of these waste materials to produce nutrient-dense, pelletized biofertilizer, providing a cost-effective substitute for expensive inorganic fertilizers.

Participate in the discussion using #COUCH2025 #GlobalEntrepreneurshipWeek #TogetherWeBuild #InnovationInEducation #Coderina.