Nigerian Team Clinches $3,000 Prize As 2025 JA Africa Company Of The Year

A Nigerian student-led enterprise, Smartgenix Aeromonitor Ltd, has emerged winner of the 2025 Junior Achievement (JA) Africa Company of the Year (ACOY), clinching the continental title and a cash prize of $3,000.

The team, which represented Nigeria from Darul Noor Intercontinental Schools, Abuja, also won the Public Choice Award after polling the highest number of votes from Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, underscoring strong public support for its innovation.

The annual JA Africa Company of the Year Competition brings together outstanding young entrepreneurs from across the continent who have emerged as winners at their respective national competitions. This year’s edition was held under the theme ‘ACT: Action for Climate Transformation’, challenging participants to design solutions that address environmental, social and economic challenges within their communities.

Smartgenix Aeromonitor impressed judges with its drone-powered precision agriculture solution aimed at helping farmers reduce operational costs, save time, minimise labour and improve productivity while supporting climate-smart and sustainable farming practices.

The winning team comprises Ruqaiya Abdulfatai Alubankudi, Khadija Muhammad Musa, Rukaiya Makki Abubakar and Zainab Idris Gaya, all secondary school students, whose innovation stood out among entries from across Africa.

With the continental victory, Smartgenix Aeromonitor will represent Africa at the De La Vega Global Entrepreneurship Award, Junior Achievement Worldwide’s flagship global competition that brings together regional champions from across the world. The global contest offers international recognition, advanced learning opportunities and a grand prize of $15,000.

Commenting on their feat, chairman, Board of Directors, Junior Achievement Nigeria, Mr Dave Uduanu, hailed the team’s achievement, describing it as a testament to the potential of Nigerian youth.

“Smartgenix Aeromonitor Ltd demonstrates the creativity, resilience and leadership potential of Nigerian youth. They are proof that with the right mentorship and opportunity, young innovators can compete and lead on the global stage,” Uduanu said.

Junior Achievement Nigeria said the achievement reflects its continued commitment to equipping young people with practical skills through programmes such as the Company Programme and SET4LYF, among others, which focus on financial literacy, work readiness, entrepreneurship and digital skills for youths aged five to 35.

Similarly, Junior Achievement Nigeria, an affiliate of Junior Achievement Worldwide, has reached over one million students across the country through more than 5,000 volunteers, delivering experiential learning programmes designed to prepare young people for success in school, work and life, particularly in underserved communities.