Private Varsities Shine at Hult Prize

Student entrepreneurs from Bells University of Technology, Landmark University, and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, have emerged as top winners at the Hult Prize Nigeria National Competition held at the University of Lagos.

Team Zero Zone from Bells University clinched the overall prize, while Landmark’s Team Nurrad emerged as first runner-up.

BOUESTI’s Team Posh Fill secured the second runner-up spot, making it the only public university in the top three.

Other startups that made the final six from a pool of 46 competing institutions included Team Plastilock Hub, Team Plasticonn, and Team Edugaze.

Themed “Unlimited,” this year’s contest spotlighted bold, scalable solutions to global challenges through social entrepreneurship.

The Hult Prize is a global initiative that challenges young people to address the world’s most pressing issues by launching innovative, impact-driven startups.

Each year, student teams compete for a $1 million prize to bring their ideas to life, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

This year’s Nigerian edition convened the nation’s brightest student founders, investors, and innovation leaders for a day of high-energy pitches, strategic networking, and forward-thinking dialogue.

BOUESTI’s performance drew commendation, with the university describing it as a reflection of its students’ ingenuity and the institution’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation.

In a statement from its Public Relations Unit, the university said, “This achievement underscores not only the creativity and resilience of our students but also BOUESTI’s growing reputation for academic excellence and innovation. It is a moment of pride for the university, Ekiti State, and proponents of public tertiary education in Nigeria.”

The competition also featured teams from several other top institutions, including the Federal University of Technology Akure, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, Tai Solarin University of Education, Covenant University, and Bayero University.

The event reinforced the rising influence of youth-led innovation in shaping the future of Africa through socially driven enterprise.