In a proud moment for Nigeria, the country’s youth and diaspora communities came together to celebrate the remarkable achievements of 12-year-old Eniola Shokunbi, a Nigerian-American tech prodigy whose groundbreaking air filtration system has captured global attention.
Accompanied by her mother and two sisters, Eniola visited the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and the Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, during her visit to Abuja.
Eniola, who has already made international headlines by securing $11.5 million in grants in Connecticut for her innovative device aimed at combating air pollution and promoting respiratory health, was warmly welcomed by both government leaders.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa hailed the young inventor as “a beacon of hope and a true ambassador of Nigerian excellence.” She stressed the importance of nurturing young innovators like Eniola and creating global opportunities for Nigerian talents to shine.
“We are incredibly proud of Eniola’s brilliance and resilience. Her story reminds us of what’s possible when young Nigerians are empowered to dream and innovate,” Dabiri-Erewa remarked, reaffirming NiDCOM’s dedication to supporting Nigerians in the diaspora and spotlighting their achievements.
During the visit, Eniola expressed her excitement at the recognition from her home country and shared her aspirations to introduce her life-saving innovation to Nigeria.
“I want to inspire other Nigerian children to dream big, solve problems, and make a difference. Any problem you see has a solution — it’s up to you to find it,” she said.
In a separate meeting, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Youth Development, commended Eniola’s ingenuity and vision.
“Eniola represents the future Nigeria must believe in. Her story isn’t just one of invention, but of resilience, vision, and hope. We must build an environment where young Nigerians can thrive globally,” Olawande stated.
The Minister reaffirmed his Ministry’s commitment to working alongside agencies like NiDCOM to foster deeper engagement with Nigerian youth and ensure more opportunities for talents both at home and abroad.
Eniola’s visit underscores the growing recognition of young Nigerians in the diaspora as invaluable contributors to national development, innovation, and global diplomacy.
Currently in Nigeria as a guest of the Raw Materials, Research and Development Council (RMRDC) in Abuja, Eniola continues to serve as a shining example of how Nigerian youth are shaping the future on a global stage.
