Finalists Showcases Innovation, Commitment at University Challenge

The Coderina Education and Technology Foundation, in partnership with the National Universities Commission (NUC), successfully hosted the Grand Finale of the Coderina University Challenge (COUCH) 2025 at the NUC Auditorium in Abuja.

The grand finale brought together, government officials, university leaders, industry partners, and the ten finalist teams selected from over sixty-two initial entries nationwide.

He highlighted COUCH as a platform proving that research could become functional innovation.

In his keynote address, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu, commended the COUCH programme for its role in moving research “from the shelves to the marketplace,” a key priority under the ministry’s national innovation agenda.

Executive Secretary of NUC, Mallam Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, acknowledged the twelve universities nominated for the pilot edition by the commission.

He urged the finalists to use their prize money to advance entrepreneurship and technical skill development, reinforcing NUC’s commitment to fostering innovation-driven learning across tertiary institutions.

Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, Dr. Tope Kolade Fasua, stated that technology remained the largest driver of global economic growth, stressing that Nigeria’s economic transformation is intertwined with youth innovation.

Vice-chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, while delivering her address on ‘Sustainable National Transformation’, emphasised the need for stronger industry–university collaborations.