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LAGOS – The University of Lagos (UNILAG) within the final couple of weeks was within the information for a lot of breakthroughs within the science and expertise world.
The establishment has continued to claim its rising function of student-led innovation in addressing real-world challenges in Nigeria and underscores UNILAG’s dedication to fostering analysis, collaboration, and technology-driven options amongst its college students.
Students Develop Smart Safety Helmet
On the worldwide area, the scholars of the establishment pulled a shocking victory on the 2026 version of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Student Technical Symposium and Exhibition, clinching first place within the extremely aggressive National Energy Challenge.
The occasion, which introduced collectively high engineering college students from throughout Nigeria, was held on the Petroleum Training Institute, Warri, Delta State, from March 26 to March 28, 2026.
Team UNILAG outperformed eight different taking part universities with an revolutionary answer designed to enhance security in high-risk industries.
Their undertaking, titled Smart Helmet: IoT-Based Smart Safety Helmet for Real-Time Health Monitoring, Hazard Detection, and Emergency Response , impressed judges with its sensible software and technological integration.
The gadget is designed to sort out delayed emergency response in sectors comparable to oil and gasoline and building.
It incorporates a pulse charge sensor able to detecting sudden spikes that will trigger accidents and mechanically sends real-time alerts to Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) personnel.
The helmet additionally options an accelerometer for fall detection, a important perform throughout hazardous operations comparable to climbing industrial buildings.
The profitable workforce comprised college students from a number of disciplines, reflecting a powerful interdisciplinary method.
They are Ogboro Olaoluwa Samuel (500 Level, Petroleum and Gas Engineering); Adegboye Kehinde (400 Level, Mechanical Engineering); Chi-ife Ileka (400 Level, Computer Engineering); Uko Samuel (500 Level, Petroleum and Gas Engineering); Kenneth Silva-Eboagwu (400 Level, Physics); and Odujirin Boluwatife (500 Level, Petroleum and Gas Engineering).
Others are Ajah Raphael (500 Level, Petroleum and Gas Engineering); Udomeh Gerald (400 Level, Petroleum and Gas Engineering), and Adegoke Precious (500 Level, Petroleum Engineering).
The SPE Student Technical Symposium and Exhibition is an annual platform that showcases rising skills in engineering and offers alternatives for college students to current options to industry-relevant issues.
Introduces Solar Technology With Smart Tracking System
Not performed, a analysis workforce within the Department of Physics, Faculty of Physical and Earth Sciences, University of Lagos, led by Dr. Uzoma Oduah (Principal Investigator) introduced the event of a Smart Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System with Adaptive Mechanisms, marking a major development in renewable vitality analysis on the University.
The revolutionary system allows photo voltaic panels to mechanically observe the solar’s trajectory, thereby enhancing photon seize and bettering general vitality effectivity. It additionally incorporates weather-responsive options that detect antagonistic circumstances, comparable to storms, and mechanically reposition the panels to stop harm.
The research has been revealed in Electric Power Systems Research (Elsevier), a Scopus-indexed journal, underscoring the worldwide relevance and influence of the work.
Launches AI-Focused UNIPOD
The nation’s innovation ecosystem acquired a lift because the establishment introduced the launch of the University Innovation Pod (UniPod).
Speakers unanimously described the hub as a landmark initiative that may rework public universities into innovation-driven ecosystems, linking expertise, analysis, enterprise, and financing to drive job creation, industrialisation, and world competitiveness.
In her welcome handle, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, described UniPod as a flagship initiative below the United Nations Development Programme Timbuktoo Project, designed to catalyse innovation throughout Africa and translate concepts into scalable, homegrown options.
She underscored the centrality of Artificial Intelligence to trendy growth, noting that the UNILAG UNIPOD would function a hub for interdisciplinary analysis, collaboration, and capability constructing.
The Vice-Chancellor recommended the Federal Government, growth companions, and institutional stakeholders for his or her help, whereas calling for sustained collaboration amongst academia, {industry}, authorities, and civil society.
She mentioned, “We cannot achieve the Nigeria or Africa we envision without investing in education and empowering our youth. We must equip them and trust them to deliver that future.”
Ms. Else Attafuah, the UNDP Resident Representative, described the undertaking as a turning level for studying, analysis, and digital transformation in Nigeria.
She acknowledged the contributions of the Federal Government, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), and the Lagos State Government in bringing the initiative to fruition.
Representing the Vice President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia described the undertaking as a “quantum leap” in repositioning universities as answer hubs the place analysis, expertise, and capital converge for nationwide growth. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s dedication to increasing and scaling innovation infrastructure throughout the nation.
Earlier, actions commenced at an Innovation Marketplace, the place indigenous, AI-powered options had been showcased throughout sectors together with Health, Fintech, Agriculture, Education, Tourism, Data Science and Deep expertise. The Vice President’s consultant praised the innovators, describing their work as each inspiring and a powerful validation of presidency funding within the sector.
What Is UNILAG AI UniPod
The Unipods initiative represents Nigeria’s effort to rework public universities right into a nationwide innovation infrastructure system. It is co-funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and developed in shut collaboration with public establishments.
The UNILAG UniPod, which focuses on Artificial Intelligence, is the primary in a community of specialized innovation hubs being established throughout Nigeria.
Other places and their focal factors embody:
University of Uyo (Green and Blue Economy); Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (Industrial and Government Technology); University of Maiduguri (Resilience Technology); Michael Okpara University (Manufacturing and Trading Laboratory); Benue State University (Agricultural Technology), and the Nasarawa State University (Mining Technology).
Together, these centres are anticipated to drive analysis, innovation, and the commercialisation of options tailor-made to Nigeria’s growth wants.