Nigerian-American Teen Eniola Shokunbi Secures $11.5M for Innovative Virus-killing Classroom Air Filters
Eniola Shokunbi, a 12-year-old Nigerian-American from Connecticut, has secured $11.5 million in funding from the Connecticut State Bond Commission for her innovative low-cost classroom air filter. Developed as a school project to improve air quality and combat airborne viruses like COVID-19, the filter costs just $60 per unit and is made from simple materials, including a box fan and furnace filters.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
Eniola Shokunbi, a 12-year-old Nigerian-American student from Connecticut, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone with her low-cost classroom air filter project, securing $11.5 million in funding from the Connecticut State Bond Commission. This initiative is part of the SAFE-CT: Supplemental Air Filtration for Education Program, aimed at improving air quality in public schools across the state.
Shokunbi’s journey began at Commodore MacDonough STEM Academy in Middletown, where, as a fifth grader, she was tasked with designing a solution to enhance school safety during potential pandemics. Motivated by the need to combat airborne viruses such as COVID-19, she developed an air filter that combines affordability with functionality.
The filter, which costs just $60 per unit, uses readily available materials such as a box fan, four furnace filters, duct tape, and cardboard. Its simple yet effective design allows air to filter through all sides, trapping harmful particles before releasing clean air.
The device underwent rigorous testing with scientists from the University of Connecticut (UConn) and received validation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which confirmed its ability to eliminate over 99% of airborne viruses.
This remarkable achievement earned her project significant recognition, culminating in the Connecticut State Bond Commission approving funding to implement the filters in schools statewide.
Shokunbi’s innovation is not just about improving air quality in Connecticut classrooms. She envisions her invention being adopted nationwide, addressing the broader challenge of ensuring safe indoor air for students across the U.S.
Speaking on her motivation, she said, “A lot of people don’t realize that the only thing standing between them and getting sick is science.” Her words underscore the importance of investing in practical, science-driven solutions for children’s health and safety.
As a Nigerian-American, Shokunbi’s achievement highlights the contributions of young talents from diverse backgrounds to the global science and technology landscape. Her project exemplifies how innovation and determination can lead to impactful solutions, inspiring a new generation of problem-solvers.
With $11.5 million in funding and state-level support, Eniola Shokunbi’s air filter project is set to revolutionize classroom safety, proving that even the youngest minds can create transformative change.
