Nigeria's young innovators have once again shone on the continental stage, securing a prestigious victory at the 2025 Junior Achievement (JA) Africa Company of the Year competition. Smartgenix Aeromonitor Limited, a student-led venture from Darul Noor by Intercontinental Schools, was crowned the champion, earning both the top title and the Public Choice Award.
A Triumph for Youth-Led Climate Innovation
The annual JA Africa Company of the Year (ACOY) contest brings together the continent's most promising young entrepreneurs who have excelled in their national competitions. This year's theme, ACT: Action for Climate Transformation, pushed participants to devise practical solutions to environmental, social, and economic challenges in their communities.
Smartgenix Aeromonitor Limited stood out by presenting an innovative drone technology designed for precision agriculture. Their solution aims to help farmers reduce operational costs, save valuable time, minimize labor, and promote sustainable climate action. The all-female team, comprising Ruqaiya Abdulfatai Alubankudi, Khadija Muhammad Musa, Rukaiya Makki Abubakar, and Zainab Idris Gaya, impressed the judges with their technical acumen and clear vision for impact.
From Continental Champions to Global Contenders
As the 2025 Africa Company of the Year, the team was awarded a cash prize of $3,000. Their victory was further solidified by winning the Public Choice Award, a testament to the overwhelming support they received from Nigerians voting both locally and abroad.
This significant win propels the team to an even bigger platform: the De La Vega Global Entrepreneurship Award. Organized by JA Worldwide, this prestigious global competition gathers first-place winners from JA's six regional competitions worldwide. The Nigerian champions will now compete for global recognition, enhanced educational opportunities, and a grand prize of US$15,000.
Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders
Chairman of the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement Nigeria, Dave Uduanu, celebrated the team's achievement. He stated that Smartgenix Aeromonitor Limited "demonstrates the creativity, resilience, and leadership potential of Nigerian youth." He added, "They are proof that with the right mentorship and opportunity, young innovators can lead on the global stage."
This victory underscores the critical work of Junior Achievement Nigeria in empowering young people. Through programs like the Company Programme and SET4LYF, the organization equips Nigerians aged 5 to 35 with essential skills in financial literacy, work readiness, entrepreneurship, and digital technology, effectively bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world application.
The success of Smartgenix Aeromonitor serves as a powerful inspiration, showing that Nigerian secondary school students are not just future leaders but active creators of solutions for today's pressing challenges, particularly in climate action and agricultural technology.
