Abuja: Dr. Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Inter-Governmental Affairs, has emphasized the potential of startups driven by STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to address the challenges facing Africa. Olanrewaju-Smart, a Harvard scholar and Policy Fellow at Quantum Alliance AI in Cambridge, Massachusetts, shared his insights at the AfriVatech iResearch Fellowship Cohort One Grand Pitch, which featured the top seven young research fellows from Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the pitch event, conducted via a Zoom webinar, showcased innovative young Nigerians presenting research-driven solutions to the continent’s problems. The programme, moderated by Dr. Moses Ojo and Mr. Adewale Aboderin, involved a thorough evaluation of seven finalists based on technology-driven startup projects, particularly those utilizing AI and Machine Learning models.
The criteria for contestants, sourced from major Nigerian universities, included problem identification, innovation, impact potential, leadership, and communication skills. Contestant Mercy Sado presented research on addressing health risks associated with adulterated honey, while Tife Kerry’s project, ‘Green Cycle: Organic Fertilizer Production,’ focused on turning agricultural waste into safe fertilizers to improve public health and climate outcomes.
Other notable presentations included Sekinah Adegbite’s ‘Closing the Loop: A Digital Continuity Model for Hypertension and Diabetes Care in Nigeria’ and Aminat Adeshiyan’s ‘BioSecured Futures.’ Boluwatife Balogun discussed antimicrobial resistance through his project ‘Sentisense Africa,’ while Tolulope Oladipo and Winner Bakati presented innovative solutions in health surveillance and agricultural production, respectively.
Olanrewaju-Smart praised the contestants for their innovative ideas and the quest to find home-grown solutions to Africa’s challenges. He highlighted the importance of incentivizing STEM fields and using science and technology to address problems without reliance on foreign knowledge. He also emphasized Africa’s role as a significant global partner and the need for continued research and investment in STEM.
After deliberations, Dr. Halla Zaid, a former Egyptian Minister of Health and fellow judge, announced the top three performers: Kerry in first place, Ado in second, and Balogun in third. Dr. Zaid congratulated all participants for their innovative ideas and understanding of community challenges, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and goals.