The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) has emerged as the overall winner of the 2026 Committee of Deans of Engineering and Technology of Nigerian Universities (CODET) South West Zone 1 Competition, earning the right to represent the zone at the national grand finale in Abuja.
The competition, held on June 17, 2026, at the T.I. Auditorium, FUTA, brought together engineering students from universities across Ondo, Ekiti, and Osun states to showcase innovative projects aimed at solving real-world challenges.
In the individual category, Heritage Ayeni, a final-year student of Agricultural Engineering at FUTA, secured first place with a score of 68 percent. Ayeni’s project, titled “Breaking the Shell: An Integrated Mechanized Continuous-Process Snail Meat Extraction System for Sub-Saharan African Agro-Industries,” impressed the judges and emerged as the best presentation.
Odogwu Nwaeze Newman of Elizade University came second with a score of 66.25 percent for the project, “Development of a Payment System for Water Distribution in Cluster Farming.”
Third place went to Aluko Odunayo Morenikeji of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), who scored 65 percent with the project, “Design and Development of a Pedal-Powered Exercise Bicycle with Energy Storage and IoT Monitoring.”
Chukwu Chimaroke Miracle of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI), placed fourth with a score of 60.5 percent for the project, “Design, Construction and Evaluation of a Gas-Charcoal Powered Cooker Enhanced with Intelligent Control Systems.”
In the team category, FUTA also claimed the top position. Abiodun Peter Gbenga and Ekundayo John Olaoluwa of the Department of Mechanical Engineering scored 71.25 percent with their project, “Optimized Design, Fabrication and Performance Evaluation of a Bean Dehusking Machine for Improved Food Processing.”
ABUAD finished second with a score of 68 percent for its project, “AI-Powered Autonomous Quadcopter for Intelligent Security and Anomaly Detection,” while BOUESTI came third with 64.5 percent for its “7kg Dual-Mode Washing Machine with a Low-Cost Water Recycling System.”
Following its victory, FUTA will now represent CODET South West Zone 1 at the national stage of the competition scheduled to hold in Abuja.
The competition involved both project presentations and live demonstrations. Four independent assessors evaluated the entries, with the final scores determined by averaging their assessments. The results were announced by the Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Akure Branch, Engr. Seun Adeyeye.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of FUTA, Professor Adenike Oladiji, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Taiwo Amos, said the competition was designed to align engineering education with contemporary industry needs and societal demands.
She emphasized the importance of engineering in nation-building and solving practical problems, while encouraging stronger partnerships between universities and industries to help commercialize innovative student projects.
The Vice-Chancellor also commended all participants who travelled from different institutions across the South West to take part in the competition.
In his remarks, Engr. Seun Adeyeye praised the participants for their hard work and dedication.
“Students should know that assessors are very free and fair in scoring them. No partiality.”
He encouraged the students to apply the feedback and recommendations provided by the assessors to further improve their projects, especially those advancing to the next stage of the competition.
Also speaking, the Dean of the School of Infrastructure, Mineral and Manufacturing Engineering (SIMME) and Chairman of CODET South West Zone, Professor Christopher Akinbile, explained that CODET was established to bring together Deans of Engineering across Nigerian universities and ensure uniform standards in engineering education.
He said, “CODET was established to function as the umbrella body for national heads of Engineering Faculty, aligning University curricula with accreditation standards set by COREN.”
Akinbile expressed confidence that the university’s various academic programmes and workshops would continue to strengthen engineering education and research.
The Dean of the School of Electrical Systems Engineering, Professor Adegoke Melodi, noted that FUTA was chosen to host the competition because of its reputation for excellence and ability to ensure a fair and credible event.
According to him, the activities of CODET and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) are geared towards advancing the engineering profession and producing graduates capable of addressing national challenges.
Earlier, the Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Professor Mary Ikumapayi, welcomed participants and highlighted the three major categories of the CODET competition: Best Engineering Graduate Student, Engineering Projects, and Best National Engineering Academic Publication.
She thanked the participating students, assessors, committee members, and university management for their contributions towards the success of the event.
The Students Forum Nigeria serves as the ultimate hub for Nigerian students, fostering academic growth, social engagement, and knowledge sharing.
