ABU Celebrates Four Female Students for Winning Grand Prize at Huawei Global ICT Competition in China

Four female students of Ahmadu Bello University have been honoured for winning recently a grand prize at the 2025 - 2026 ICT Huawei Skills Competition Global Final in Shenzhen, China. 

They were celebrated at a colourful ceremony organised by the Women Leading Change in Africa Project (WLCA) under the auspices of the IIOE Nigeria National Centre, ABU, Zaria. 

It took place at Yusufu Bala Usman Hall, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria today, Tuesday, 7th July, 2026.

The event was attended mainly by female staff and students from different units of the university. 

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, said at the occasion that the students distinguished themselves by winning at the global stage with an AI-powered solution for diagnosing malaria parasites in undeserved communities. 

He said their success was significant not only because they emerged victorious but also because they applied technology to solve a real and pressing public health challenge. 

Prof Ahmed also said they proved that Nigerian students could compete successfully with the very best in the world when given the opportunity. 

The Vice-Chancellor expressed hope that the success would inspire many more girls across Africa to pursue careers in science, technology, and innovation. 

He commended the mentors and lecturers of the students as well as thanked Women Leading Change in Africa Project and IIOE Nigeria National Centre, for organising the reception. 

Prof Ahmed stressed that the university was committed to ensuring that the innovation went beyond the competition stage. 

"We have begun the process of securing patent protection and are working with our partners to refine and commercialise the solution so that it can benefit the communities that need it most", he said. 

He also said the university was making arrangements to provide the outstanding students with advanced training and research opportunities at one of the ABU's partner universities in China. 

In an address of welcome, the Project Coordinator, Women Leading Change in Africa, Dr Basira Yahaya, said the event was more than a celebration of success. 

Basira, who doubles as Head of Department of Computer Engineering, also described it as a celebration of resilience, excellence, innovation, and the limitless potential of women in STEM. 

According to her, Women Leading Change in Africa was committed to increasing the participation, visibility, and leadership of women in higher education through capacity building, networking, and digital transformation. 

Since its inception, the project had consistently provided training in digital transformation, encouraged women to participate in micro-certification programmes, and empowered women in higher education, she said. 

The Director, Directorate of Research and Innovation, Prof J J Maina, gave a talk at the event. She spoke on the "Opportunities in STEM".

There were goodwill messages by some dignitaries at the occasion. 

Dean of Students, Prof Sahalu B Junaidu, was among the dignitaries, who delivered the goodwill messages. 

Others were the Dean of Life Sciences and Chairperson, Committee of Deans and Directors, Prof Maryam Aminu; and the Director, Counseling and Human Development Centre, Prof Hadiza Tukur. 

Also at the occasion was a presentation of a short video clip on the female students and their entry for the 2025-2026 Huawei ICT Skills competition. 

This was besides the presentation of awards to the students in recognition of their outstanding performance at the competition.