Team Fortizo, made up of Civil Engineering students from the University of Jos, has emerged in third place at the first Nigerian Engineering Olympiad, held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
According to Emmanuel Madugu, the Deputy Registrar for Information and Public Relations, the students received a 20 million naira start-up grant for their business and 50 million naira worth of laboratory equipment for the Faculty of Engineering as a result of their achievement.
He said, “the Team designed a solar-powered robotic apparatus capable of detecting potential diseases affecting crops such as potato, maize, and ginger on farmlands.”
The team explained that they started the project after blight devastated the potato farming season two years ago.
Madugu also said the team included Bestman Ojomugbokenyode Agada, Emmanuel Ennan Dajan, and Israel Smart Obidah, with Engr. Dr. Meshach I. Alfa, Head of Civil Engineering, as their Faculty Guide.
The Deputy Registrar for Information and Public Relations said this achievement shows that the University of Jos values problem-solving.
“This success story is N70 million proof that UNIJOS trains problem-solvers, not just graduates,” he said.
When the team, led by Dean of Engineering Prof. Rose E. Daffi, visited his boardroom on Monday, July 6, 2026, the Vice-Chancellor thanked them for making the University proud.
He praised the Faculty for its ongoing work to produce graduates who solve problems and especially recognized Dr. Alfa, Head of Civil Engineering, for his dedication to this achievement.
At the event, Professor Tanko Ishaya announced that the University will work with the team right away to help bring their design to market.
The team thanked Vice Chancellor Professor Tanko Ishaya FBCS FNCS and Dean of Engineering Prof. Rose E. Daffi for their strong support.
