In a heartwarming recognition of Nigerian talent abroad, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, and the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on Thursday celebrated 12-year-old Nigerian-American inventor, Eniola Shokunbi, who recently developed a groundbreaking air filtration system.
Eniola, accompanied by her mother and two sisters, paid courtesy visits to both officials in Abuja as part of her visit to Nigeria, where she is being hosted by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC).
Described as a tech prodigy, the young innovator from Connecticut has already attracted international acclaim and secured $11.5 million in grant funding for her invention aimed at tackling air pollution and improving respiratory health.
During her visit to NiDCOM, Hon. Dabiri-Erewa hailed the pre-teen as “a beacon of hope and a true ambassador of Nigerian excellence,” urging the country to continue nurturing young talents with the potential to solve global problems.
“She is a shining star, a beacon of what is possible when young Nigerians are empowered. Her invention is not just revolutionary; it’s inspirational,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
Eniola, in her remarks, expressed joy at the warm reception, sharing her dream to deploy her innovation in Nigeria to help improve air quality across urban centres.
“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 just up to you to find it,” she said.
At the Ministry of Youth Development, Minister Olawande also lauded Eniola’s ingenuity, describing her as a symbol of the Nigeria the world needs to see.
“Her story is not just one of innovation, but of resilience, vision, and hope,” Olawande said. “We must do more to create an environment where young Nigerians – whether at home or abroad – can thrive without limits.”
The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to working with stakeholders like NiDCOM to create stronger youth-government partnerships and expand opportunities for Nigerian youth worldwide.
Eniola’s visit comes as Nigeria intensifies efforts to celebrate and harness the skills of its diaspora community in national development, innovation, and diplomacy.
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