Two determined students from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Oluwatoyin Odulana and Imisioluwa Aliya Onafeso, represented Team PlastiConn at the 2024 SDG Olympiad in Paris, France, showcasing their winning spirit and ingenuity. Their efforts led to a remarkable victory in a global competition featuring twelve universities from four continents competing for the Gold Prize.

Team PlastiConn, hailing from the SDG Summer School at UNILAG, secured the Gold Prize, while Team QMorjan from the Hackathon for Social Good at New York University (NYU) Abu Dhabi earned the Silver Prize, and Team Planetary Predictor from the SDG Summer School at the University of Geneva took home the Bronze Prize. The winning teams were chosen based on a thorough assessment of their innovative solution presentations.

These teams are driven by ambitious goals to enhance our world. Team PlastiConn seeks to connect plastic collection initiatives with accessible collection centers. Team QMorjan is developing an AI and Quantum-powered platform designed to pinpoint optimal locations for coral restoration using limited resources. Meanwhile, Team Planetary Predictor is creating an engaging platform to introduce Climate Change Modelling in educational settings.



The 2024 SDG Olympiad aims to empower students globally to address environmental and health issues aligned with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For the UNILAG students, PlastiConn, which stands for “Plastic Wastes Connectors,” transcends a mere concept; it has evolved into a movement that actively contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 12, which focuses on “Responsible Consumption and Production.”

By linking communities with plastic collection initiatives, UNILAG’s Team PlastiConn seeks to foster sustainable plastic usage and contribute to the restoration of ecological balance in both terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Under the leadership of their faculty advisor, Dr. Peter Elias from the Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences at UNILAG, the team was dedicated to ensuring the success of this initiative. Team PlastiConn collaborated closely with organizations such as UNILAG Green Hub, UNICEF, and the Lagos Urban Studies Group (LUSG), among others.




The team's capacity to pursue collaborative efforts in achieving this objective exemplifies a profound recognition of the growing necessity for a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving. This initiative aligns seamlessly with the FUTURE-Ready vision championed by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS.

Professor Ogunsola extends heartfelt congratulations to Team PlastiConn on this commendable achievement and encourages the team to continue their efforts, as there are countless impacts to be made and endless opportunities to explore.