Building on last year’s success, Schneider Electric and the Foundation, in partnership with Enactus, will once again implement three key initiatives in Nigeria: the Enactus Core Programme, the Battery Innovation Challenge, and the Mentorship Programme. These initiatives are also entering its second year in Kenya, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
“Our collaboration with the Schneider Electric Foundation and Schneider Electric is extremely valuable. The past year underscored the importance of cultivating young leaders through immersive, hands-on training and mentorship initiatives,” says Michael Ajayi, the Country Director of Enactus Nigeria.
Adds Funmilayo Olakitan, Youth Education and Entrepreneurship Programme Manager, Anglophone West Africa at Schneider Electric: “We look forward to this second year of collaboration, which is undoubtedly making a major difference to the students, impacted by the programmes, in Nigeria and across Anglophone Africa.”
The three programmes
The Enactus Core Programme, launched in February 2024, provides Nigerian university student teams with a structured framework to address social challenges through entrepreneurial solutions. Supported by the Schneider Electric Foundation’s New Skills for the Future and Innovation programme, it also engages Schneider Electric employees as mentors and competition judges.
The programme culminates in the Enactus National Exposition, where student teams present their projects. In 2024, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University emerged as the national champion with its ECORESIN project.
This innovative project focused on tackling plastic waste by developing biodegradable polymers from agricultural materials such as cassava and water hyacinth. These polymers are used to produce everyday items, from shopping bags to packaging for food and pharmaceuticals, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics.
The team went on to compete in the Enactus World Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan where they team walked away with the laurels at the Action with Africa Challenge (a global competition culminating as a side event at the Enactus World Cup). The team became the first Nigerian team ever to win the challenge, taking home the €10,000 grand prize.
Additionally, the Federal University of Technology, Owerri team secured a fourth place in the Action with Africa Challenge and €2,000 prize.
Schneider Electric’s Battery Innovation Challenge continues to make an impact in Nigeria. This initiative aligns with energy transition goals by challenging students to develop innovative battery models as sustainable energy solutions.
Over six months, participants undergo training, build their prototypes, and present their designs in a national competition.
In 2024, the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, won the Nigerian competition with its MAX Battery project. This IoT-enabled solution regulates battery temperature, extends battery lifespan, and enhances reliability, particularly benefiting renewable energy providers and electric vehicle manufacturers.
The Mentorship Programme, another key initiative, continues to empower student leaders in Nigeria by bridging the gap between academic learning and industry demands. Over six months, Schneider Electric employees’ mentor university students, providing leadership and management skills to prepare them for future careers.