The spirit of innovation at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK) has once again taken centre stage on the global map. Two brilliant student teams from the Faculty of Engineering have lifted the University’s flag high at the prestigious IEEE Industrial Applications Society’s Industrial Power Conversion Systems Department Design Competition, which drew entries from across 54 African countries.
Leading the charge, Team Ignitex, made up of six outstanding students of the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering: Dominion Chidiebere, David Agbo, Miracle Obiano, Peace Lekia, Augustus Nworah, and Sharon Bertrand, emerged global champions. Their groundbreaking project, an IoT-powered, biogas-driven dryer designed to cut post-harvest losses and manage organic waste, not only clinched the $2000 top prize but also secured them an invitation to present at the IEEE’s flagship conference in Cairo, Egypt, this September 2025.
Joining them in the spotlight, the ADAPTA Team, Chukwudi Esther, Agbo Augustine Eze, Onyebuchi Goodnews, Enuka Edward, Udemgba Ferdinand, and Gabriel Onyedika Nnamoko (five from ECE and one from Mechanical Engineering), earned a coveted spot among the top five global finalists and will also present their innovation in Cairo.
Both teams will be specially honoured with custom certificates at the Cairo conference, in recognition of their creativity, resilience, and brilliance. Their journey was guided by dedicated IEEE staff mentors: Engr. Dr. Azubuike Nzube Aniedu, Engr. Dozie Ekwunife, and Engr. Sandra Chioma Nwokoye, whose support exemplifies UNIZIK’s culture of nurturing excellence.
This double victory is more than a competition win: it is a testament to the power of UNIZIK’s young innovators to tackle real-world problems and provide solutions that can transform Africa and beyond. Today, the University celebrates them as shining examples of what it means to be proudly UNIZIK.