- as graduate develops smart irrigation payment system for African farmers
Elizade University, Ilara Mokin in Ondo State has recorded a major breakthrough in water technology.
Indeed, it has emerged as the second-best institution among 13 universities in the single-presenter category at the highly competitive 2026 South-West Committee of Deans of Engineering and Technology (CODET) Competition, Zone 1.
With this feat, the university has once again demonstrated its growing stature as a hub of innovation, research excellence and technological advancement.
Serving as a platform for showcasing groundbreaking research projects and technological solutions capable of addressing real-life challenges confronting society, the competition brought together engineering faculties from universities across Ondo, Ekiti and Osun States.
Only four of the participating universities emerged at the highly coveted single-presenter category, underscoring the intensity and quality of the contest.
At the heart of Elizade University’s success was an ingenious project titled “Development of a Payment System for Water Distribution in Cluster Farming,” developed by the University’s graduate, Mr. Nwaeze Newman Odogwu, under the supervision of Dr. Olugbenga Ogidan of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
Speaking while receiving the award-winning team, the Vice-Chancellor of Elizade University, Prof Philip Oguntunde, lauded the young innovator for developing a solution with the capacity to transform agricultural practices and improve livelihoods across Africa.
He urged the researcher not to relent in his pursuit of excellence, while also commending the Faculty of Engineering and the academic mentors whose guidance contributed to the success of the project.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the achievement exemplifies the University’s enduring commitment to its guiding philosophy of “Going Higher.”
He said, “This accomplishment is a pointer to the quality of scholarship and innovation that Elizade University represents.
“We remain unwavering in our vision of building a world-class institution that produces graduates with global competitive advantage and the creative capacity to solve societal problems.”
Oguntunde stressed that academic excellence is not determined by age but by determination, creativity, focus, perseverance and the courage to venture beyond conventional boundaries.
His words, “Scholarship is not about age or gerontology. Young minds come with fresh energy and vibrant ideas that challenge the status quo, break new grounds and solve problems that had previously appeared insurmountable.
“They are products of critical thinking and innovation, qualities that Elizade University continues to nurture and celebrate.”
The Vice-Chancellor further noted that the University is deliberately investing resources and intellectual capital in science, technology, engineering and innovation as critical drivers of national development and global competitiveness.
In his speech, the University’s Registrar, Mr Omololu Adegbenro, described Elizade University’s performance as further evidence of the institution’s rapid emergence as a leading centre for cutting-edge engineering research and innovation-driven education.
Also, the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr Adebunmi Okediji said the recognition, not only celebrates the ingenuity of a young researcher but also reflects the University’s broader commitment to developing practical technologies capable of addressing pressing societal challenges.
Speaking also, the Project Supervisor, Dr Olugbenga Ogidan said “the achievement represents more than an award; it is another milestone in our journey and research initiative toward becoming a globally respected institution where ideas are transformed into solutions, innovation meets impact, and young minds are empowered to shape the future”.
He explained that the innovation tackles one of Africa’s most persistent agricultural challenges, the equitable distribution and management of water resources among farmers operating within shared irrigation systems.
According to the project designer, Nwaeze Newman Odogwu, the smart technology, which was specifically built for low-resource communities, introduces a transparent and efficient framework through which farmers pay only for the exact volume of water consumed by their crops.
He added that the system effectively eliminates disputes among cluster farm operators while ensuring fairness, accountability and sustainability in water usage.
The breakthrough solution combines a sophisticated web-based platform with water-metering sensors capable of accurately monitoring the volume of water supplied to individual farms.
Every transaction is automatically documented with corresponding dates and timestamps, creating a reliable audit trail that enhances transparency and promotes responsible resource management.
Beyond payment automation, the technology integrates crop water requirement data with digital payment platforms to create an intelligent irrigation ecosystem that optimizes water allocation and usage.
Experts at the competition described the innovation as a practical and scalable solution with enormous potential for deployment across Africa, where water scarcity and agricultural inefficiencies continue to threaten food production and rural livelihoods.
Significantly, the system has already been successfully piloted at Elizade University, demonstrating its operational viability and readiness for wider adoption.
Stakeholders believe the innovation could help reduce conflicts over shared water resources, improve agricultural productivity, strengthen rural economies and contribute meaningfully to food security across the continent.
As universities across the country continue to seek relevance in an increasingly technology-driven world, Elizade University is proving that the future belongs to institutions that inspire creativity, encourage critical thinking and equip students to solve real-world problems.
With this latest accomplishment, the University has once again demonstrated that it is not merely educating students, it is producing innovators, problem-solvers and future leaders whose ideas have the power to transform communities, industries and nations.
Indeed, the remarkable feat has placed Elizade University firmly in the spotlight of engineering research and innovation, further reinforcing its reputation as one of Nigeria’s fast-rising centres of scientific discovery and practical problem-solving.
The competition, which rounded off this June 2026, at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), saw Elizade University finish ahead of several established institutions, securing second place behind FUTA, while Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) placed third.
