UNIMED Physiotherapy Student Wins NBTI NextGen Innovator Award in London

A student of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, Oluwatayo Ayodele Michael, has won the NBTI NextGen Innovator Award at an international showcase held at ExCeL London, United Kingdom, on October 9, 2026.

Michael, who studies Physiotherapy at UNIMED, received the award for developing UniThread EcoHusk, an innovation that converts discarded cocoa pod husks into biochar-based filtration materials for treating textile wastewater.

The technology offers a sustainable approach to reducing harmful pollutants in wastewater before they enter rivers and other water bodies. By turning agricultural waste into useful filtration materials, the innovation aims to support cleaner water, protect the environment and reduce potential health risks associated with pollution.

The international showcase attracted hundreds of innovators, policymakers, investors, industry stakeholders and government dignitaries. Among those present were the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, and the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Segun Aina.

Representatives of the Commonwealth Investment Network and the British High Commission also attended the event.

Reacting to the achievement, UNIMED Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe, congratulated Michael, describing his international recognition as a proud moment for the university and Nigeria.

She said the award demonstrated the capacity of young Nigerians to develop innovative solutions to critical challenges facing society.

“We are immensely proud of Oluwatayo Ayodele Michael for this outstanding achievement. Winning the NBTI NextGen Innovator Award on an international platform in London demonstrates that the ingenuity of our young people can produce solutions capable of addressing critical challenges facing humanity. His achievement brings honour to UNIMED and Nigeria as a whole,” she said.

Adejuyigbe further commended the practical environmental benefits of UniThread EcoHusk, noting that the project illustrates how locally available resources can be transformed into solutions for cleaner water and improved public health.

She encouraged students and young researchers to pursue interdisciplinary collaboration, entrepreneurship and research-driven innovation, stressing the role of universities in developing solutions to local and global challenges.

The Vice-Chancellor also reaffirmed UNIMED’s commitment to academic excellence, research and innovation that translate knowledge into practical benefits for society.

Michael’s achievement highlights the potential of Nigerian innovators to use locally available materials and appropriate technologies to tackle environmental problems. The innovation also demonstrates how agricultural waste can be repurposed for wastewater treatment, supporting resource recovery and environmental protection.

The award further highlights the importance of providing young innovators with international platforms to showcase their ideas, attract potential partners and advance solutions that contribute to sustainable development.