By MTN Nigeria, in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) through its local partner Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), has unveiled winners of the 2024 Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge. Osarode Stephen Odemwingie has been selected for his groundbreaking innovation, biorefinery powered by fruit/vegetable waste and chicken feathers-specific waste streams.
The solution addresses waste management while providing jobs for young people in the organic waste recycling industry and mushroom production/farming. Through this community development-focused innovative solution, he repurposes fruit/vegetable wastes and chicken feathers, typically seen as disposal challenges, into nutrient-rich supplements called “Organo-brine” and “Organo-sludge” for mushroom cultivation.
This solution was chosen for its impact on multiple levels. Locally, it diverts organic waste from burning and landfills, reducing environmental harm while providing job opportunities in mushroom farming for young people.
Nationally and internationally, the approach contributes to sustainable agriculture, improving food security by producing nutritious mushrooms and addressing waste management challenges in a scalable, environmentally friendly manner. He will now represent Nigeria at the prestigious Africa-wide PachiPanda finals in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Out of 1,643 submissions for the Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge, a shortlist of the top 10 finalists was given the opportunity to pitch their groundbreaking ideas and solutions to industry experts and a panel of judges at the 3-day pitch event held in MTN’s Head Office in Lagos from November 4-6, 2024.
At the end of the pitch event, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners emerged and were rewarded with 3,000,000, 2,000,000 and 1,500,000 Naira prize money, respectively, for their innovative solutions. Team Sparkwise Initiative (Ebenezer Otito Anyadiegwu, Julius Oluwaleke and Egbeyale Omobonike) came third with household appliances fabrication from E-Waste, while Olabisi Rafatu Emmanuel came second with the reusable menstrual products solutions.
Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, MTN Nigeria, said, “Osarode’s biorefinery exemplifies the incredible potential of young minds to drive positive change. His dedication to tackling waste management challenges and unemployment is truly inspiring. We are confident he will make Nigeria proud on the continental stage.”
Dr Joseph Onoja, Director-General, NCF, said, “The ingenuity and potential impact of the fruit/vegetable waste and chicken feathers powered biorefinery is remarkable. Osarode has demonstrated a deep understanding of the environmental issue and has developed a solution that is not only innovative but also practical and scalable. We are excited to see how he fares at the Africa finals.”
The Africa-wide finals will bring together the top teams from across the continent, providing a platform to showcase their solutions to a distinguished panel of industry experts and investors. The ultimate winner will receive a grand prize and comprehensive support to scale their innovation and maximise its impact.
