Four brilliant 300‑level students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have etched their names in history as the first UNILAG team to win the Tertiary Institutions Energy Pitch Challenge (TIEC 4.0), organized by the Nigeria Energy Forum (NEF) and sponsored by All On.
The team – Samuel‑Rotua Richard (Chemical Engineering), Ogunsanwo Emmanuel O. (Chemical Engineering), Chiugo Joy Okpalanedu (Law), and Babayanju Covenant Priscilla (Economics) – mentored by Professor Faith Uchenna Babalola of the Department of Chemical Engineering, clinched both the ₦3 million grand prize grant and the ₦500,000 public vote award at the finals held on June 30, 2026, in Lagos.
The Winning Innovation: Coolbox
Their groundbreaking project, Coolbox, is a battery‑free, PCM‑embedded transportable cold storage system designed to extend the shelf life of tomatoes and peppers from just two days to 10 – 14 days.
Unlike conventional solar fridges, Coolbox delivers this solution at a fraction of the cost, directly tackling Nigeria’s trillion‑naira post‑harvest food loss crisis. One of the judges described it as “a project I would love to see come to life.”
According to the team, the total prize of ₦3.5 million would fund the next phase: real‑market deployment.
Team lead, Richard Samuel‑Rotua captured the spirit of their innovation, by stating, “If food feeds a nation, preserving food protects its future.”
This statement reflects the team’s vision of combining energy innovation with food security, ensuring that Nigeria’s agricultural produce can be preserved, transported, and consumed more sustainably.
UNILAG’s Legacy of Innovation
This victory not only highlights the ingenuity of UNILAG students but also reinforces the university’s reputation as a hub for problem‑solving research and entrepreneurial talent. By addressing one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges – food wastage – the team demonstrated how academic brilliance can translate into real‑world impact.
With Coolbox, UNILAG students have shown that the future of energy and food security in Nigeria can be shaped by homegrown solutions.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, heartily congratulates the quartet and mentor on this win and wishes them all the best in the next phase of the project.
