The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, and the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, have celebrated the remarkable achievement of 12-year-old Nigerian-American inventor, Eniola Shokunbi.
Shokunbi, who developed an innovative air filtration system to combat pollution and enhance respiratory health, has secured $11.5 million in grants for the project in Connecticut, USA.
During her visit to Nigeria as a guest of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council in Abuja, Eniola, accompanied by her mother and two sisters, met with Dabiri-Erewa and Minister Olawande, who both commended her ingenuity and vision.
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Dabiri-Erewa described the young inventor as “a beacon of hope and a true ambassador of Nigerian excellence,” stressing the importance of nurturing such young talents. “Eniola’s brilliance, resilience, and determination reflect the extraordinary potential of Nigerian youth,” she said.
Expressing gratitude for the warm welcome, Eniola shared her aspiration to bring her innovation home to improve air quality in Nigerian cities. “I want to inspire other Nigerian children to dream big, solve problems, and make a difference,” she said. “Any problem you see has a solution; it’s just up to you to find it.”
The minister praised her drive and innovative spirit, stating, “Eniola represents the future Nigeria must believe in. Her story is one of resilience, vision, and hope. We must create environments where young Nigerians—home and abroad—can thrive without limits.”
Both leaders pledged continued support for young innovators and emphasised the government’s commitment to amplifying the voices of exceptional youth like Eniola Shokunbi.