Innovator List

Sector

Sex

Blurb

Ummasalma MohammedIsa

Green Economy/Recycling

female

"Maiduguri faces frequent power outages, over-reliance on non-renewable energy, and a lack of skilled labor to implement sustainable energy solutions. Meanwhile, youth unemployment is soaring, leaving thousands without opportunities for growth or livelihood. Mohammed created T-CRES to bridge the gap by offering affordable, hands-on training in renewable energy technologies. He teaches solar installation and maintenance, hydropower basics, and biomass and biogas system development. Trainees graduate with the expertise to start their own businesses, secure jobs in the energy sector, or bring clean, affordable power to underserved communities."

Khadija Usman

Green Economy/Recycling

female

"In Maiduguri, many households rely on charcoal for cooking, a practice that presents a significant and multifaceted problem. The widespread use of charcoal contributes to deforestation and environmental degradation, exacerbating climate change and threatening local ecosystems. For families, the high cost of charcoal places a heavy financial burden on their limited incomes. Moreover, the smoke and fumes from burning charcoal pose serious health risks, leading to respiratory illnesses and other health complications, particularly for women and children who spend a considerable amount of time in the kitchen. Khadija is addressing this critical issue the creation of briquettes as a clean, affordable, and sustainable alternative to charcoal. Her production process transforms household waste into a valuable fuel source by using organic materials that would otherwise be discarded, Khadija is providing a cost-effective and cleaner alternative for cooking but also promoting a circular economy. Her solution offers a sustainable and accessible way for households in Maiduguri to cook, improving public health, conserving natural resources, and providing a model for converting waste into a valuable commodity. "

Gambo Yakubu Wakiti

Green Economy/Recycling

female

"A major problem facing many communities is their dependence on traditional energy sources for heating, which contributes to significant environmental issues such as deforestation and air pollution. The use of traditional fuels often results in high levels of smoke, which poses serious health risks and contributes to environmental degradation. This reliance on unsustainable methods creates a critical energy gap and leads to inefficient resource utilization, where valuable waste materials are simply discarded. Wakili is pioneering an innovative solution that tackles these problems head-on by creating a sustainable heating alternative. The innovation lies in her process of converting waste into high-performance, zero-smoke briquettes. This approach not only provides a clean and efficient source of heat but also maximizes resource utilization by transforming what was once waste into a valuable product. Wakili's solution directly addresses the energy gap and combats deforestation by offering a viable alternative to traditional fuels. Furthermore, her process creates a circular economy, where byproducts are repurposed into new solutions that address other critical needs, leading to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious community. "

Aishatu Ibrahim kida

Green Economy/Recycling

female

"Adolescent girls in many communities face a lack of access to affordable and hygienic menstrual products. This leads to poor menstrual hygiene, which can cause health issues, and contributes to high rates of absenteeism from school. The financial burden of purchasing disposable sanitary pads is often unsustainable for many families, forcing girls to miss class and limiting their educational opportunities and overall well-being. To address this critical issue, Aishatu Kida has developed an innovative solution focused on empowerment and sustainability. She is providing washable and reusable sanitary pads while simultaneously teaching girls how to maintain them. As a classroom teacher, she plans to acquire the skills to create these pads herself, then pass on this knowledge directly to girls in her community. This model not only provides an immediate, cost-effective solution to the problem of access but also equips girls with a sustainable, long-term skill. By teaching them to produce their own reusable pads, she empowers them to manage their menstrual health with confidence, reduces the stigma around menstruation, and fosters an environmentally friendly practice that minimizes waste. "

Saminu Saidu

Green Economy/Recycling

female

"In Borno, especially urban hubs like Maiduguri, open waste burning is widespread, releasing harmful methane gas and other pollutants. This practice harms public health, worsens environmental degradation, and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, households and businesses face persistent energy shortages, hampering daily life and economic productivity. Saminu Saidu’s innovative approach tackles both problems at once by converting waste into energy. Using anaerobic digestion, organic waste is broken down to produce biogas for cooking or electricity generation. For non-recyclable waste, controlled incineration efficiently generates heat that is converted into electricity. The byproducts, ash and digestate are repurposed into fertilizers, supporting agriculture. This closed-loop system delivers clean, renewable energy, reduces landfill waste, cuts pollution, and strengthens local livelihoods."

Hauwa Umaru

Green Economy/Recycling

female

"In Hauwa Umaru’s community in Borno state, many rural and off-grid households still rely on traditional cooking methods like open fires and rudimentary stoves. These methods accelerate deforestation, create harmful indoor air pollution, and contribute to serious health problems. While solar and biomass cooking technologies offer cleaner alternatives, they each have drawbacks.Solar cookers depend entirely on sunlight, and biomass stoves require a constant fuel supply. Hauwa is addressing this challenge with a hybrid biomass/cast iron solar cooking stove. Her innovation combines the efficiency of solar thermal energy with the reliability of biomass combustion. The durable cast iron design improves heat retention and overall cooking performance, ensuring families can cook efficiently in all weather conditions. This solution not only reduces environmental impact but also promotes healthier cooking practices and energy independence in her community."

Halima Bawah

Green Economy/Recycling

female

"Due to the significant lack of reliable electricity in Borno State, the learning environment for students has been severely impacted. The high temperatures, exacerbated by a lack of power, make it difficult for students to concentrate in class. While many solutions focus on solar or hydroelectric power, which are dependent on specific environmental conditions like sunlight or water flow, Halima has developed an innovative and sustainable alternative. Her solution harnesses mechanical energy from footsteps and converts it into electricity using piezoelectric tiles. These tiles would be installed in high-traffic areas within schools, such as gates, hallways, staircases, podiums, and playgrounds. The energy captured from the constant movement of students and staff would then be converted into electricity. This power would be used to supply classrooms, computer labs, and other essential school equipment, thereby creating a more conducive and productive learning environment. This approach offers a consistent, on-demand power source that is not reliant on external factors, providing a reliable and eco-friendly solution to the energy crisis in Borno State schools."

Hussaina Modibbo

Green Economy/Recycling

female

"In Borno State, households and small businesses rely heavily on firewood for cooking. This dependence contributes to rapid deforestation, environmental degradation, and increased carbon emissions, while also posing health risks from smoke inhalation. The scarcity of sustainable fuel options further exacerbates pressure on natural resources. Hussaina is developing a sustainable cooking energy solution by producing rice husk briquettes an eco-friendly alternative to firewood. These briquettes repurpose agricultural waste (rice husks) into affordable, clean burning fuel, reducing deforestation, lowering carbon emissions, improving air quality, and promoting circular economy practices in the region."

Aisha Taha

Green Economy/Recycling

female

"In Borno State, communities face persistent challenges in accessing affordable, reliable, and clean cooking solutions. Many households, particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas, rely on firewood and charcoal, contributing to deforestation, health hazards from smoke inhalation, and increased economic burden on families who must purchase or gather fuel under insecure conditions. Aisha is addressing this challenge by producing and distributing eco-friendly briquettes made from agricultural waste. Her solution reduces dependence on firewood, lowers cooking costs, improves indoor air quality, and promotes environmental conservation while creating local job opportunities, especially for women and youth in her community."

Fatima Yale

Green Economy/Recycling

female

"In Nigeria, a significant amount of charcoal powder is discarded as waste, with many not realizing its potential. Fatima Yale has recognized this problem and she is converting this overlooked byproduct into a valuable and efficient firewood substitute. By compressing the charcoal powder into briquettes, Fatima's process addresses both environmental and economic challenges. Her method involves mixing the fine powder with a binder, such as cassava starch or clay, and water. This mixture is then moulded and dried, resulting in dense, uniform blocks that offer a superior alternative to traditional firewood. This solution is not just about waste reduction; it's about creating a better fuel source. The briquettes Fatima produces burn longer and with less smoke than wood, making them a more efficient and cleaner option for cooking and heating. This simple yet impactful solution transforms a discarded waste product into a sustainable and practical fuel, providing a significant benefit to communities and the environment "

Mugwa Kambasha

Green Economy/Recycling

female

"Many young innovators in Borno state struggle to navigate complex regulatory requirements, leaving their businesses unregistered and vulnerable to penalties, limited credibility, and loss of intellectual property. This lack of registration and compliance often prevents them from attracting customers, investors, and strategic partners, while also exposing their innovations to the risk of exploitation. Mugwa is tackling this challenge by working with relevant authorities to guide young innovators through business registration, licensing, and compliance processes. Through workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns, Mugwa educates innovators on regulatory obligations and intellectual property protection. The program also offers mentorship, connecting young entrepreneurs with experienced professionals and industry experts. This approach ensures that more youth-led businesses are registered, compliant, credible, and well-protected, empowering them to focus on growth and innovation."

Hannatu Holma Solomon

Green Economy/Recycling

female

Hannatu aims to introduce an innovative and sustainable alternative for cooking that addresses the high cost of fuel and its detrimental impact on the environment. Her solution involves a solar or reflective stove that utilizes the mirror to concentrate sunlight and generate heat. This approach is not only cost-effective and maintenance free but also offers a safe and efficient way to cook, significantly reducing reliance on traditional fuels that harm the ecosystem. The solar stove provides a quick and reliable heat source, making it an ideal, eco-friendly cooking option for communities seeking to lower their expenses and minimize their environmental footprint.

Gumsu Bulama Kime

Green Economy/Recycling

female

In Borno State, small-scale poultry farmers face major setbacks due to low hatch rates, unreliable electricity, and the high cost of electric incubators, which often range from ₦250,000 to ₦800,000. Traditional hatching methods result in a 40–60% loss of viable eggs, making poultry farming less profitable and sustainable. Gumsu Bulama has developed an affordable, charcoal-powered egg incubator built from locally sourced materials that operates without electricity. This innovation can hatch 60–120 eggs per cycle with up to a 70% success rate, offering farmers a reliable, cost-effective solution that boosts productivity and income.

Bintu Taha

Green Economy/Recycling

female

Bintu aims to introduce solar-powered sewing machines as a vital tool for communities grappling with a severe lack of power supply. By harnessing abundant solar energy, these machines provide reliable and independent power for tailoring and garment production, freeing users from the constraints of an unreliable grid or expensive, polluting alternatives like generators.

Fatima Kwasu Muhammad

Green Economy/Recycling

female

"Fatima is tackling a critical challenge of people still relying on non-renewable, polluting fuels for cooking, driving up household expenses and harming both health and the environment. In remote and underserved communities in Borno, access to clean cooking alternatives remains scarce. Fatima’s solution is simple, A solar powered oven that uses only sunlight to cook food. With zero emissions, low maintenance, and no fuel cost, her innovation offers an eco-friendly alternative that can reach off-grid areas and reduce dependence on firewood or gas. By harnessing the power of focused reflectors, an insulated heat retaining box, and a transparent cover to trap solar radiation, Fatima’s design can reach cooking temperatures of 120–180°C. Her work is making clean energy more accessible, and transforming how families cook, save, and sustain the planet."

Fatima Bashir

Green Economy/Recycling

female

"In Borno State, frequent power outages and limited access to reliable electricity are major roadblocks for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Rising energy costs and the lack of affordable, grid-independent solutions mean many businesses are forced to shut down early or operate at a loss. Fatima is tackling this challenge head-on through Power-Packed Solar a clean energy venture providing hybrid, scalable solar systems specifically designed for SMEs in conflict-affected and underserved areas like Borno. Her systems combine solar and backup power to ensure uninterrupted electricity, even during prolonged grid failures or cloudy days. By offering low-cost, efficient, and adaptable solutions for everything from kiosks to mid-sized production facilities, Fatima is helping SMEs stay powered, profitable, and productive while contributing to Borno’s path toward energy resilience and economic recovery."

Hauwa yakubu Bello

Green Economy/Recycling

female

"In rural communities in Borno, smallholder farmers often lose a significant portion of their harvest due to inefficient, traditional drying methods. Without affordable preservation tools, produce spoils quickly, leading to food waste, income loss, and reduced market value. Hauwa Bello is solving this challenge by developing cost-effective solar dryers built from locally available materials. These dryers use the sun’s heat to preserve fruits, vegetables, and grains in a hygienic, eco-friendly way thereby cutting post-harvest losses and boosting farmers’ income. By creating this accessible technology, Hauwa is helping farmers extend shelf life, reduce waste, and tap into new markets."

Fatima Abubakar

Green Economy/Recycling

female

"Fatima aims to create Cooling Hope for Mothers and Community a solution that helps to combat the oppressive heat in her area. This initiative is born from the critical need to provide relief to pregnant women and other vulnerable residents who suffer the most during the hot season. Her locally developed cooling devices will offer immediate physical comfort but also help improve the overall health and quality of life for the community. By making a necessity like cooling accessible, Fatima's work addresses a significant health concern, demonstrating how a simple, innovative solution can bring profound comfort and hope to those who need it most. "

Aisha Muhammad Ibrahim

Green Economy/Recycling

female

"With growing water scarcity fueled by climate change, urbanization, and poor infrastructure, communities in Borno state, especially in remote areas face a daily struggle to access clean, safe water. Traditional purification methods are either costly, energy-intensive, or inaccessible to those who need them most. Aisha Mohammad is addressing this challenge through solar-powered water purification, a sustainable and eco-friendly solution that uses sunlight to purify contaminated water through distillation, filtration, and disinfection. Her innovation offers off-grid communities an affordable way to produce safe drinking water, helping close the water gap, improve public health, and build resilience against climate-driven water insecurity."

Zainab ali Garra

Green Economy/Recycling

female

"Across many communities in Borno, poor waste management and lack of access to affordable electricity persist as major challenges. Zainab is tackling both problems through her Bio-Waste Energy Generator, an innovative solution that transforms organic waste into clean biogas for electricity and cooking. Using biodigesters, Zainab collects food scraps and animal waste, processes them through anaerobic digestion, and generates biogas to power local microgrids. The system not only reduces pollution but also produces compost as a valuable byproduct for farming, delivering a circular solution that lights up homes, supports agriculture, and cleans the environment."

Kubra Yakubu

Green Economy/Recycling

female

"In Borno State, traditional cooking methods using firewood and fossil fuels are driving deforestation, indoor air pollution, and rising household energy costs. Kubra is changing that with her solar-powered oven, an affordable, eco-friendly alternative that harnesses the sun’s energy for clean and efficient cooking. Kubra's solution not only reduces environmental harm and health risks but also offers economic relief to families, making sustainable living more accessible in off-grid communitiesin Borno state."

Aliyu Abare

Green Economy/Recycling

male

"In Borno, where families rely heavily on wood and charcoal for cooking, the result is rising fuel costs, deforestation, and harmful indoor air pollution. Aliyu is changing this narrative by producing eco-friendly briquettes from agricultural waste like sawdust, maize cobs, and sugarcane bagasse. Aliyu offers a cleaner, cheaper, and sustainable alternative, reducing environmental degradation while creating jobs and improving health outcomes for households across the region."

Peter John Manga

Green Economy/Recycling

male

"Frequent attacks on electricity infrastructure by insurgent groups in Borno have left Maiduguri in chronic blackout, stalling development and daily life. Abdulahi is harnessing the region’s untapped wind energy potential to offer a stable, sustainable alternative. By leveraging Maiduguri’s favorable wind speeds and open landscapes, his innovation provides clean, renewable power, reducing fossil fuel dependency, enhancing energy resilience, and mitigating climate impact in a conflict-prone region."

Mohammed Bukar Forfor

Green Economy/Recycling

male

"In Borno State, the heavy reliance on diesel generators poses serious challenges - high fuel costs, constant refueling, noise pollution, and harmful emissions. For communities already grappling with infrastructure insecurity, this dependency makes energy access expensive and unsustainable. Mohammed is offering a game changing solution. His 5kW free energy electromagnetic generator delivers a clean, fuel-free source of electricity, while his Dual Fuel Conversion Kit allows existing diesel generators to operate on both diesel and LPG, reducing fuel costs by up to 30% and cutting emissions by 20%. Through these innovations, Mohammed is helping households and small businesses in Borno access reliable, affordable, and eco-friendly power."

Muhammed Abdulazeez

Green Economy/Recycling

male

"In conflict-affected Borno State, clean water remains a luxury for many, with rural communities relying on unsafe sources and diesel-powered pumps that are both costly and unsustainable. This crisis not only fuels outbreaks of waterborne diseases but also places a heavy burden on women and children who walk long distances daily to fetch water. Mohammed Abubakar is addressing this critical gap by deploying solar-powered boreholes with integrated purification systems, offering a sustainable, cost-effective, and climate-resilient clean water solution. His model includes smart monitoring tools, community training, and green job creation, helping reduce disease, promote gender equality, and ensure long-term access to safe water for all."

Elisha Nuwam

Green Economy/Recycling

male

"In Borno State, insecurity and herder-farmer clashes often put farmers’ lives at risk, especially during routine activities like irrigation. Recognizing this, Elisha has developed a solar-powered drone irrigation system that allows farmers to irrigate their fields remotely and safely. By combining drone technology with solar energy and precision irrigation, Elisha’s solution minimizes farmers' exposure to dangerous conflict zones while conserving water, boosting yields, and cutting down reliance on manual labor. His innovation not only promotes climate-smart agriculture but also offers a lifeline to safer farming in conflict-affected communities."

Bukar Bukar

Green Economy/Recycling

male

"Following devastating floods that crippled electricity infrastructure in Maiduguri, Jere, and Mafa LGAs of Borno State, many households have been plunged into darkness. In response, Bukar developed an affordable, rechargeable lantern designed to restore light and hope to these communities. His innovation offers a reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective lighting solution crucial for families, students, and businesses affected by the blackout. By harnessing simple, rechargeable technology, Bukar’s lantern is lighting the way toward recovery and resilience in flood-hit areas."

Emmanuel Francis

Green Economy/Recycling

male

"In Borno State, where limited charging infrastructure and unreliable grid electricity pose major challenges to electric mobility, Francis is leading a clean energy breakthrough. His solution: solar roofing for electric vehicles. By integrating solar panels into car rooftops, Francis’ innovation enables vehicles to generate renewable energy throughout the day, reducing dependence on grid electricity. This technology extends driving range, lowers carbon emissions, and supports a shift toward sustainable transportation in a region urgently in need of resilient, climate-smart solutions."

Muhammad Bintube

Green Economy/Recycling

male

In many communities, high fuel costs and lack of electricity make transportation expensive and unsustainable, limiting mobility for students, commuters, and delivery riders. Mohammed Bintube’s innovation a solar-powered bicycle, offers an eco-friendly, low-cost alternative for short to medium distance travel. Harnessing solar energy, this solution provides a reliable and sustainable mode of transport that reduces dependence on fossil fuels while improving accessibility and affordability.

Mohammed Abubakar

Creative

male

"The lack of suitable furniture in modern offices and institutions presents a significant challenge for individuals with physical disabilities, often leading to discomfort and reduced productivity. Mohammed is addressing this problem by developing an innovative desk solution designed specifically to promote comfort, enhance efficiency, and ensure accessibility for all. His custom designed furniture provides an inclusive workspace, transforming standard environments into productive spaces for everyone. He also aims to train other young people in the design and production to create employment. This solution stands out because of its adjustable features and ergonomic design, making it more than just a piece of furniture but a tool for empowerment. By focusing on the needs of a diverse workforce, Mohammed's work creates a more equitable and functional environment, demonstrating how thoughtful design can break down barriers and foster true inclusion. "