Two student entrepreneurs from Nile University of Nigeria, Abdul-Samad Lawal (400L Mechatronics Engineering) and David Oseloka Okoh (400L Business Administration), recently returned from Japan, where they participated in the prestigious Social Innovator Hub (SIH) Programme, a seven-week co-creation programme hosted by Tohoku University.
Selected as two out of three students representing Nigeria, these Nile University students, after undergoing startup incubation at the institution’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub, took their respective innovative startups to an international stage, sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Abdul-Samad Lawal’s project, “Synthetic Waste-to-Fibre” is a startup idea that aims to transform synthetic waste like plastic bottles, discarded textiles, and industrial polymers into reusable fibres for various applications. Meanwhile, David Oselokah Okoh’s “Green Char Solution” converts agricultural and organic waste into biochar, a sustainable soil amendment and clean energy source. Both projects were chosen for their innovative solutions to pressing domestic and social challenges.
The SIH Programme, which took place between August and September 2024, brought together talented students from Japan, Nigeria, Indonesia, Peru, and Mongolia. The goal? To collaborate on tackling social challenges through business innovation. Participants in this co-creation programme were equipped with the tools to refine their ideas, work collaboratively across cultures, and pitch their solutions to investors.
Nile University students Abdul-Samad Lawal (400L Mechatronics Engineering) and David Oseloka Okoh (400L Business Administration) and their Asian counterparts on arrival at Tohoku University, Japan
From Nile to Japan: A Journey of Innovation
Reflecting on their experiences, the students highlighted the critical role played by the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub at Nile University in equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel on the global stage.
“The incubation programmes we took part in at the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub at Nile University were crucial,” shared David Oseloka Okoh. “It gave us the technical and business skills we needed to refine our startup. We learned how to validate our ideas, pitch effectively, and develop products that are capable of meeting social needs. Without the guidance we received from Dr. Umar Ibrahim (Startup Advisor, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub, Nile University), Mrs. Binta Agbonika (Manager, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub, Nile University), and many other guest mentors at the Hub, we wouldn’t have been as prepared for the SIH competition in Japan.”
L-R: Abdul-Samad Lawal (left) Nile University, Habeeb Abdulrahman (middle) University of Abuja, and David Oseloka Okoh (left) Nile University: Nigeria’s three-man Delegation to the Social Innovation Hub’s Programme sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Tohoku University, Japan
During their time in Japan, Abdul-Samad and David were placed in separate groups alongside their international peers to develop innovative solutions. Abdul-Samad’s group worked on “SiMaggots,” a compost farming initiative aimed at boosting food production and sustainable agriculture, while David’s group focused on the “Gerund Biochamber,” a solution that transforms food waste into “black gold” (charcoal) to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Both projects aimed to address critical societal challenges and bring cutting-edge solutions to underserved communities. Over the seven weeks, the students had access to expert mentorship, workshops, and hands-on co-creation sessions that sharpened their business model and product design.
“At Tohoku University, we had the chance to see how startups from across the world are addressing similar social issues,” Abdul-Samad explained. “We refined our solution by focusing on scalability and impact, ensuring that our startup could not only thrive in Nigeria but in other markets as well. Collaborating with teams from Japan, Peru, and Mongolia opened our eyes to the global potential of our idea.”
Representing Nigeria on the Global Stage
Being selected as two of just three Nigerian representatives in the SIH Programme was both an honour and a surprise for the students.
“When we found out that we were chosen to represent Nigeria, it was an incredible feeling. It’s a huge responsibility to carry the flag of our country in such an international competition, and we are proud to have showcased not just our startup, but the talent and innovation coming out of Nile University and Nigeria as a whole,” Abdul-Samad said.
Social Innovation Hub (SIH) programme participants posing with their Certificate of participation/completion at the end of the 2024 SIH programme in Japan.
Global Collaboration: A New Perspective on Social Innovation
During the SIH programme, the students collaborated with participants from diverse countries like Indonesia, Peru, and Mongolia, an experience they describe as eye-opening.
“The international exposure was invaluable,” David reflected. “We got to see first-hand how different countries approach social challenges, and it completely changed our perspective. It’s one thing to develop a solution in your own country, but when you see how other cultures tackle similar issues, it broadens your mindset. We left Japan with new ideas and a stronger network of global innovators.”
Looking Ahead: Scaling for Impact
As the programme came to a close, the students had the opportunity to present their startup ideas to potential investors, a moment they had been anticipating eagerly.
“Pitching our startup to investors was a huge opportunity,” the students shared. “We learned a lot about what investors are looking for and how to position our startup for growth. With this experience, we are confident that we can scale our solution to make an even bigger impact, both in Nigeria and globally. Our next steps are to secure investment, refine our product further, and roll out our solution to help as many people as possible,” stated Abdul-Samad.
Team Gerund Biochamber and Team SiMaggots during their pitching competition at the SIH Programme’s Grand Finale, Japan.
Nile University: A Hub for Future Innovators
This experience highlights Nile University’s ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators. Through its Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub, Nile University continues to provide a platform for students to develop real-world solutions and showcase their ideas on the global stage. With experiences like these, Nile University students are not only gaining an education but are becoming leaders of change in the 21st century.
The success of these two young entrepreneurs is a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and the unwavering support provided by Nile University in fostering the creative potential of its students.