MOUAU Team Wins ₦1.5 Million, Emerges Second at AFRETEC-UNILAG Innovation Challenge

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), has strengthened its reputation in technological innovation and inclusive education after Team ECHO Project emerged second at the 2026 AFRETEC-UNILAG Inclusive Education Innovation Challenge, winning ₦1.5 million.

The team earned the recognition with INCLUSILEARN AI, an artificial intelligence-powered learning application designed to improve educational access for students with speech and hearing impairments.

Hosted by the University of Lagos, the competition attracted 94 universities across West Africa. MOUAU’s team distinguished itself among the 15 finalist teams with its innovative approach to addressing barriers to education for learners with sensory disabilities.

Receiving the team, MOUAU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, expressed delight at the achievement and commended the coordinator, mentor and students for representing the university creditably.

She reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to supporting young innovators whose ideas address societal challenges. Professor Akanwa also disclosed that the university management would take steps to secure patent protection for INCLUSILEARN AI to safeguard the innovation as the university’s intellectual property.

The team coordinator and Head of the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Professor Patricia Ukegbu, and the team mentor, Dr Uzochukwu A. Onwuzuruike, explained that INCLUSILEARN AI is a three-in-one digital learning application developed to improve access to curriculum-based educational content for learners with sensory disabilities.

They noted that the innovation aims to address barriers to learning and promote greater inclusion within the educational system.

The duo further disclosed that the project was developed through collaboration among the Departments of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Computer Engineering and Microbiology. The collaboration highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research in developing practical solutions to societal challenges.

The team pledged to further improve the application’s functionality, respond more effectively to users’ needs and prepare it for public deployment.

Team ECHO Project comprises Miss Okwunodulu Chiamaka Claire of the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics; Ukegbu Brian Chukwuebuka and Ikwueze Uchechukwu of the Department of Computer Engineering; and Miss Precious Ogwo, a sign-language expert from the Department of Microbiology.

MOUAU’s achievement highlights the university’s commitment to innovation, interdisciplinary research and inclusive education. It also demonstrates the capacity of its students and academic staff to develop technology-driven solutions to pressing societal challenges and promote equitable access to learning.