Introduction
The stage is set for the grand finale of the Coderina University Challenge, as the top ten student-led innovation teams converge at the National Universities Commission Secretariat in Abuja. The event officially ran from November eighteenth to twenty-first 2025. Participants arrived on the eighteenth and departed on the twenty-first, experiencing a transformative three-day journey of learning, collaboration, and innovation.
About COUCH 2025
COUCH, an initiative of Coderina Education and Technology Foundation, inspires creativity and problem-solving among students in Nigerian tertiary institutions. The 2025 edition drew remarkable participation from universities nationwide. Students developed solutions that tackle real-world problems through technology, research, and entrepreneurship. This year’s finale coincided with the Global Entrepreneurship Week, celebrating innovators and job creators under the theme Together We Build.
Stakeholder Engagement
Government officials, academic leaders, industry experts, and private sector representatives attended the event to witness Nigeria’s young innovators and explore pathways for mentorship, collaboration, and investment. Coderina Founder Olajide Ademola Ajayi emphasized the importance of bridging academic knowledge with industry needs and fostering innovation-led education.
Finalist Teams and Innovations
Nile University of Nigeria – Neuronaut Robotics
Developed autonomous underwater vehicles for subsea pipeline inspection to prevent corrosion and leaks in the oil and gas sector.
Kwara State University – Team Green
Built SUNPOD, a portable solar-powered station providing clean, off-grid electricity for lighting, device charging, rural homes, small businesses, and healthcare facilities.
Federal University of Technology Akure – Team CIRCLE
Created an intelligent waste management system combining mobile technology, IoT-enabled smart bins, and AI-driven sorting to promote data-driven recycling and a circular economy.
Ahmadu Bello University – Pup Industries
Implemented the Plastic to Paint initiative, converting low-density polyethylene and polystyrene into eco-friendly, mosquito-repellent paint.
Federal University of Technology Minna – Waste2Light
Developed sustainable energy solutions from waste materials, empowering communities with affordable off-grid power systems and youth training in clean energy fabrication.
Lagos State University – ScrapLink
Launched a digital marketplace connecting small-scale scrap metal sellers with qualified buyers. AI classification, dual verification, and integrated logistics enhance efficiency and trust.
Adamawa State University – ADSU Fresh Innovators
Produced eco-friendly lubricant grease from polyethylene waste, mitigating environmental pollution and promoting sustainability.
Imo State University – Team IMSU
Transformed palm oil waste into clean energy and biochar, providing biogas for heating, cooking, electricity, and CO₂ capture for industrial use or carbon credits.
Kaduna State University – ReGenX
Developed Wrap to Grow, a biodegradable packaging material that converts into biofertilizer after use, promoting sustainable agriculture.
Igbinedion University – EcoCircular Labs
Transformed palm oil waste into nutrient-rich, pelletized biofertilizer in Okada. Their solution reduces environmental degradation caused by empty fruit bunches and mill effluent while offering an affordable fertilizer alternative.
Conclusion
The Coderina University Challenge 2025 successfully showcased the ingenuity of Nigeria’s youth, highlighting the potential of technology and entrepreneurship to address real-world challenges. COUCH remains a pivotal platform for nurturing the next generation of innovators and changemakers.