The Federal University of Technology Akure, (FUTA), has won the first and third positions at the inaugural edition of the National Undergraduate Industry-based Engineering Research Competition sponsored by Dangote Cement.

At the grand finale organised by the University of Lagos Engineering Society Academic & Research Board under the aegis of Dangote Cement Plc at the University of Lagos on July 28,2026, three final year students of FUTA, Oluwaferanmi Oladepo (Information and Communication Engineering), Nunsi Shiaki (Computer Engineering) and Adejire Adegite (Electrical and Electronics Engineering) of Team Zenith won the first position; while Faith Alabetutu and Samuel Abayomi, both 400-level students of the Department of Computer Engineering, competing as Team Data Knights won the third position. A team from the University of Lagos came second with teams from the University of Ibadan also participating in the grand finale.

FUTA’s Team Zenith, represented by Oluwaferanmi Oladepo, impressed the judges who declared them the best overall with a research-backed early-warning system that listens to a machine’s vibration and electrical signals together, catching equipment faults while they are still small, well before they turn into costly breakdowns.

Team Data Knights picked the third position with a data-driven optimisation model charting how Dangote’s plants can source more of their energy from alternative fuel, backed by over 230 screened research sources and Dangote’s own audited plant data.

The organisers received over 360 applications submitted nationwide at the initial stage and only six teams earned a spot to pitch live before judges at the University of Lagos, with two of them who eventually won the first and third positions coming from FUTA.

Team Zenith had earlier won a prominent position in the third edition of the prestigious, The Industrial Electronics Society Generative IEEE IES AI Challenge. The research project presented by the trio will be developed into a peer-reviewed research paper, and Team Zenith will present their paper at the IEEE International Conference on Responsible Artificial Intelligence (IRAI 2026) in Melbourne, Australia, later this year.

While receiving the Team Zenith members alongside Daniel Segun Akinyiwola, a 3oo level Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) student who won the second position in the Tertiary Essay Category of the 2026 Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Literary Competition in her office on Thursday, an elated Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, described the feats as heartwarming and another exemplification of the excellence of products of FUTA.

She said: ” Thank you for making us proud. FUTA is the leading University of Technology in Nigeria and we have the data to prove this. Your achievement is a testament to how effective we are as an institution.”

Oladiji also lauded the team’s competitive spirit and determination to excel, noting that their success had brought honour to both themselves and the university.

“I applaud your spirit for putting yourselves up for competition. It is a remarkable spirit, and you have earned a place on our honour roll,” she added.

The vice-chancellor reiterated the university’s commitment to advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) research and innovation, recalling that the founding fathers of FUTA envisioned a university that would combine agriculture, engineering and technology to solve societal challenges.

She noted that AI has become indispensable to the future of teaching, research and national development, stressing the need to integrate it across all disciplines in the university.

“We must make Artificial Intelligence part of our university. We will use you as ambassadors to advocate for the establishment of a Centre for Artificial Intelligence because you have demonstrated what is possible through innovation. You have made us proud,” she said.

The team appreciated the university management for its support and encouragement, pledging to continue pursuing innovative research that will contribute to national development and further enhance FUTA’s reputation as Nigeria’s premier University of Technology.