Glisten Academy Wins FCTA Brunel Innovation Challenge

In a mind-boggling show of creativity and innovation, Glisten International Academy, Abuja, has clinched the top prize in the FCTA-Brunel Innovation Challenge.

The students dazzled judges with their chemical-free, low-cost water purification solution, designed to provide access to clean water in their local communities.

Themed “Building a Better Abuja,” the challenge was a collaborative effort between the Brunel University Business School, London, and the FCT Administration, aimed at equipping secondary school students with real world entrepreneurial experience to solve pressing societal problems.

At the grand finale and award ceremony held in Abuja, Mandate Secretary, FCT Education Secretariat, Dr. Danlami Hayyo reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to nurturing creativity and entrepreneurial spirit among students.

Represented by the Director, Department of Higher Education, Mr. Siyanbola Olumuyiwa, Dr. Hayyo noted that the FCT is focused on building an education system that empowers young people to become solution providers.

“This event represents more than the culmination of a competition,” Hayyo said. “It is a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the limitless potential of our students to provide practical solutions to the challenges facing our society.”

Hayyo also praised the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for his unwavering support for education, youth empowerment, and transformative initiatives.

“His leadership continues to inspire bold innovations that positions Abuja not just as Nigeria’s capital but as a beacon of excellence in education and innovation,” he added.

Also, speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Ladan, Director/Secretary of the FCT Secondary Education Board, represented by Mrs. Pamele Mbanefo, Director/Principal of Nigeria-Korea Model School, Abuja, described the innovation challenge as a “place where creativity meets opportunity.”

Ladan encouraged the students to continue pushing the boundaries of imagination and innovation, by thinking differently and embracing the responsibility of shaping a better future through creativity, resilience, and purpose-driven innovation.

Announcing the results, the Lead for the Entrepreneurship Education Programme at Brunel University,Dr Nan Jiang commended Glisten’s winning idea on sustainable water filter made from moringa oleifera, activated carbon, fine sand, and gravel, tailored to provide clean, affordable water to underserved areas.

The runner-up, Government Secondary School (GSS) Gwagwalada, impressed the judges with a plastic waste transformation project, turning discarded plastics into useful household and decorative items like flowers, belts, and table mats.

GSS Kwali secured third place with a nutrition-enhanced poultry feed made from locally sourced ingredients like maize, papaya leaves, moringa, grain bran, soya beans, groundnut, and animal bone to boost poultry farming.

“These students weren’t just graded on creativity,” Dr. Jiang noted. “They were evaluated on problem identification, solution feasibility, market strategy, environmental and social impact, and how well their ideas aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

Mr. Musa Zuru, FCT coordinator of the competition, who revealed that 26 schools submitted entries with five making it to the finals, emphasized that the challenge was designed to nurture innovative minds capable of becoming job creators, not job seekers.

Mr. Victor Oriafor, Principal of GSS Gwagwalada, corroborated that the initiative is yielding positive results.

“It is about building a generation that thinks solutions, not limitations.”

Speaking on behalf of the elated Glisten team, Fatima Abubakar described their emergence as winners of the competition as the beginning of a transformational journey.

“This challenge opened our minds to possibilities. It gave us the confidence to not just dream, but to create,” she said.

Echoing the spirit of determination, Alade Joshua from GSS Gwagwalada expressed hope that his team would do even better next time.
“We have tested our creative and innovative skills. We aim for the top in the next competition,” he said.

For Joshua and many others, the FCT-Brunel Innovation Challenge may have ended, but its impact is just the beginning in shaping tomorrow’s entrepreneurs.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namij