Nigerian student wins research innovation award in London

400-level Nursing student of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Covenant Awoyemi wins Best Research Innovation of the Year award at the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026 Grand Finale in UK...Photo Credit: OOU

A Nigerian student, Awoyemi Covenant, has won the Best Research Innovation of the Year award at the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026 Grand Finale in London, United Kingdom.

Covenant, a 400-level nursing student at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, represented Nigeria at the international competition held from October 7 to 11, 2026.

OOU announced her achievement on its social media page on Monday, celebrating her performance at the competition.

The university said Covenant was “selected following her participation in the national innovation programme, where she represented Ogun State at the National Showcase held in Abuja with over 2,900 other participants.”

It added that “70 candidates were shortlisted for the grand finale in London, where Awoyemi Covenant emerged with the award of the Best Research Innovation of the Year.”

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According to the university, Covenant’s achievement followed her participation in the national innovation programme, which attracted thousands of participants before the final selection for the London event.

The nursing student developed a biodigester appliance designed to convert livestock waste into biogas, a renewable energy source that can be used for cooking and other energy needs.

OOU’s announcement highlighted her academic background, identifying her as a “400 level nursing student” of the institution who “represented Nigeria at the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026 Grand Finale, London, United Kingdom, from 7th October to 11th October 2026.”

Her innovation focuses on converting animal waste into useful energy, offering a potential approach to sustainable energy production and waste management.

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