UNICROSS Students Emerge Second at Enactus Nigeria National Competition, Innovation Challenge
Seven students of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) have emerged second at the Enactus Nigeria National Competition and Julius Berger Innovation Challenge held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Philip22
Seven students of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) have emerged second at the Enactus Nigeria National Competition and Julius Berger Innovation Challenge held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The students, drawn from the Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering and Civil Engineering, represented Team Enactus UNICROSS at the national competition, which featured 18 Enactus teams from 27 universities across Nigeria.
The Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) emerged first, while UNICROSS placed second and the University of Calabar (UNICAL) came third.
The UNICROSS team impressed the judges with B.U.D.D.Y. (Built-in UHF Detection & Defense for You), an intelligent Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) compliance system designed to improve workplace safety.
The innovation combines Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology with Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered computer vision to identify workers, verify their registered safety equipment and monitor in real time whether the required PPE is being worn correctly.
B.U.D.D.Y. provides an intelligent solution to one of the major challenges in industrial environments: ensuring that workers consistently use the appropriate protective equipment.
The seven UNICROSS students who presented the innovation at the competition were:
- Donald Oliver – Civil Engineering, 400 Level
- William Mfon-Abasi – Civil Engineering, 300 Level
- Effiom Johnpaul Oliver – Electrical/Electronic Engineering, 400 Level
- Kingsley Ugochukwu – Electrical/Electronic Engineering, 400 Level
- Ntongha Udumo – Mechanical Engineering, 400 Level
- Blessing Aniedi Okon – Mechanical Engineering, 400 Level
- Odey Roberta – Mechanical Engineering, 400 Level
The team’s performance was attributed to the creativity, dedication and hard work of the students, alongside the guidance and mentorship provided by Engr. Dr. Samuel Oliver Effiom and Engr. Dr. Gerthrude Fisher, Acting Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering.
The achievement also reflects UNICROSS’ growing emphasis on innovation, practical learning and the development of solutions to real-world challenges under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Francisca Bassey.
The University Management has continued to encourage students and staff to transform academic knowledge and creativity into innovative solutions capable of addressing societal and industrial challenges.
The second-place finish therefore represents a significant national achievement for UNICROSS and further demonstrates the capacity of its students to compete successfully on major platforms through innovation and problem-solving.
The University congratulated the seven students, their mentors and the entire Team Enactus UNICROSS on the feat, while wishing them continued success in developing and advancing the B.U.D.D.Y. innovation.
