Olateju Olamide Wins MTN Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge

Olateju Emmanuel Olamide has been crowned the winner of the MTN Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge 3.0 during a closing ceremony held in Ikoyi, Lagos. His innovative product, LumiCare, is an AI-powered neonatal jaundice screening solution aimed at addressing a significant threat to newborn survival in Nigeria.

The first runner-up was James Thomas Terhemba, whose startup, TED Evergreen Smart Energy 900, integrates digital technology with decentralized solar power to tackle affordability issues for rural communities. Oluwadunsin Temilola Bolaji secured the second runner-up position with Sachet Bank Africa, a community initiative focused on plastic sachet recovery and recycling.

The winners received cash prizes of NGN5 million, NGN3 million, and NGN2 million, respectively. Tobechukwu Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Nigeria, emphasized the company's commitment to engaging youth in solving national challenges.

Bolanle Akinleye-Opara from the Nigerian Conservation Foundation noted the competition's potential for national impact.