JS Tarka Varsity Wins 2024 Enactus Contest

The Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (formerly University of Agriculture, Makurdi) has won the Enactus Nigeria 2024 National Competition with its outstanding innovative solution, ECORESIN.

Of the 32 universities that competed, out of which four were selected as finalists, Joseph Sarwuan Tarkwa University trounced the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI) to emerge the national champions, with ABU trailing behind in the second position.

With its victory at the national competition in Nigeria, JS Tarka University is now set to storm the global stage to represent Nigeria at the Enactus World Cup 2024 in Astana, Kazakhstan, marking a significant milestone in its journey.

The Annual Enactus Nigeria National Competition 2024, held at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos, recently marked a special return to a fully onsite event since 2019.

In the competition, the Enactus JS Tarka University team participated in the project Ecoresin, which is committed to providing a sustainable solution to the plastic waste crisis.

A team of students at the university developed biodegradable polymers using agricultural and plant-based materials such as cassava and water hyacinth.

These polymers produce everyday items, from shopping bags to seedling wrappers and packaging for food, care products, and pharmaceuticals.

The biodegradable polymers are designed to disappear back into nature without leaving any harmful traces. They can be converted into fertiliser through decomposition, promoting sustainable farming.

Following its victory at the national championship in Nigeria, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, now owns the exclusive rights to represent Nigeria at the Enactus World Cup 2024 in Astana, Kazakhstan, from October 2-4, 2024.

The project successfully passed the audit conducted by the Enactus HQ Country Director during his visit to the university from Thursday, August 8, 2024, to Monday, August 12, 2024, to ensure the authenticity and integrity of the results claimed in the annual report.

Consequently, the university has been given the go-ahead to commence preparations for the World Cup.

The schedule leading up to the World Cup includes departure from Makurdi to Lagos on Saturday, September 21, 2024; boot camp in Lagos from Sunday, September 22, to Saturday, September 28, 2024; and departure from Lagos on Sunday, September 29, 2024.

Arrival in Astana will be on Monday, September 30, 2024; participation in the Action with Africa (AwA) Challenge on Tuesday, October 1, 2024; World Cup competition from Wednesday, October 2, to Friday, October 4, 2024; departure from Astana on Saturday, October 5, 2024; and arrival back in Makurdi on Sunday, October 6, 2024.

In addition to winning the national title, JoSTUM’s Ecoresin Project was among the Top 6 in the Action with Africa Challenge, securing a €2,500 travel grant to Kazakhstan. The team will compete for the grand prize on October 1, 2024, before the World Cup officially begins.