A 500 level Electrical and Computer Engineering student at Kwara State University, Malete – KWASU, Emmanuel Aanu Ajayi, has emerged the winner of the Federal Ministry of Education Student Venture Capital Grant initiative and was awarded a N50 million grant.

Emmanuel won the N50 million grant at an event which was held at the UNDP Innovation Hub in Lagos State on 29th March, which was the official unveiling of the Student Venture Capital Grant initiative by the Federal Ministry of Education.

The historic event brought together student innovators and founders from different universities across Nigeria who came to pitch their ideas and innovations. Entrepreneurs, government officials, and development partners were also present. Some of the dignitaries in attendance included the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, and the resident representative of the United Nations Development Programme, Elsie Attafuah.

When asked what he pitched that won him the N50 million grant, Emmanuel, who currently serves as a research assistant at the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Systems at Kwara State University, explained that he pitched a solar power station, which he built using upcycled electronic waste to provide affordable and reliable electricity to homes and businesses.