Campus News

UNILORIN to represent North Central Zone at National CODET contest

By Bashirat Omotosho

The University of Ilorin has been selected to represent the North Central Zone in the team category of the prestigious National Committee of Deans of Engineering and Technology (CODET) competition.

The selection followed the performance of the University at the zonal round of the Engineering Students Project Exhibition, which took place last Monday (June 23, 2025) at the NLNG Board Room of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology.

The event brought together student innovators from three major institutions in the region, Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete;  the University of Ilorin, and the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMinna) where participants showcased groundbreaking engineering solutions designed to address real-world challenges through creativity and applied technology.

In the team category, Unilorin’s Team Afrovax emerged victorious with their innovative portable solar-powered vaccine storage system, aimed at preserving vaccine potency in off-grid areas. FUTMinna’s Team Hero presented a smart medical monitoring and actuation device, while the team from KWASU developed sustainable nanocomposites for vehicle bonnet prototyping.

In the singles category, the North Central zone will be represented by Olaoye Blessing Emmanuel from FUTMinna, who was selected ahead of Ajibade Israel Oluwapelumi (KWASU) and Abdulazeez Abdullah Olakanmi (UNILORIN) after a thorough evaluation of individual projects.

The panel of four judges, drawn from various industries, assessed the entries based on innovation, relevance, functionality, and scalability.

They commended the participants for their creativity and technical expertise, noting that the future of Engineering in Nigeria appears promising.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Jamiu Odusote, expressed pride in hosting the zonal round of the CODET competition.

“This event is a celebration of innovation, problem-solving, and the future of Engineering in Nigeria. It offers our students a unique opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to practical challenges and to showcase solutions that can make a real-world impact,” he said..

Prof. Odusote also commended the participating institutions and encouraged all students to continue striving for excellence, regardless of the outcome of the competition.

With the achievement, the University of Ilorin and FUTMinna will move on to the national stage of the CODET competition, where they will compete with other regional champions from across Nigeria in their respective categories.

Present at the event were Engr Bashiru Fuwad, the Chief Executive Officer, Bolof Agro Technologies; Mr Oriade Ebenezer from Mcgeorge Consult; Dr Muhammadu from FUTMinna, Dr Olalekan Ogunbiyi from KWASU, Engr Ahmed Kazeem Jatto as well as Dr Karimu Bello, the Deputy Director, LABTOP, University of Ilorin.