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, 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd 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.

In Nigeria, issues such as deforestation, flooding, and erratic weather patterns continue to threaten livelihoods, disrupt ecosystems, and pose risks to public health.

While these challenges may seem insurmountable, they also present an opportunity – a chance to innovate, take action, and create sustainable solutions for the future.

The PachiPanda Challenge, a collaborative initiative by MTN Nigeria, and the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), is a dynamic platform designed to empower young Nigerians to take on the country’s most pressing environmental issues.

Through this challenge, young visionaries and youth-led small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are being called upon to think creatively and develop cutting-edge solutions that can help reshape Nigeria’s environmental landscape. The goal is to identify problems and pioneer innovative tech solutions that address them head-on.

Recognising the need to harness this youthful energy, the PachiPanda Challenge has provided an empowering platform where young Nigerians can step forward and turn their creative ideas into practical, life-changing solutions.

This move will foster a generation of innovators who will lead the charge toward environmental sustainability. The process began with a nationwide call for applications, which drew an overwhelming 1,643 entries from individuals and teams across the country.

After reviewing the entries which focused on the feasibility, originality and potential impact of the proposed solutions submitted, the field was shortlisted to the top 100.

Upon further evaluation, the top 10 finalists were selected. As the challenge approaches its finale, the 10 finalists will participate in a 3-day event where they will pitch their ideas to a distinguished panel of judges.

These judges, seasoned experts from various fields, will evaluate the ideas based on their innovation, sustainability, and scalability.

The winners will walk away with prizes, gaining access to resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities that can help bring their solutions to life.

Also, the top winner will advance to the Pan-African Africa PachiPanda Challenge, where they will compete against other national winners for a chance to scale their solution across the continent.

By providing young Nigerians with the tools, platform, and support they need, the PachiPanda Challenge is empowering the next generation of environmental champions.

Through this challenge, it is evident that these young innovators hold the key to addressing the environmental issues that affect us all, turning problems into opportunities and ideas into actions.