In a display of innovation and impact-driven thinking, Emmanuel Fagbenle, a Business Intelligence Analyst at the University of New Hampshire’s Center for Business Analytics, has emerged winner of the Data Analytics category at the Zion Tech Hub Hackathon. His project, which targeted inefficiencies in Nigeria’s healthcare equipment imports, is projected to save the nation over ₦500 billion if implemented.
The competition, which brought together more than 20 teams from across Nigeria, challenged participants to apply data science to solve real-world problems. Fagbenle’s winning entry analysed Nigeria’s import data for electrical and medical equipment (HS Code 85), uncovering how hospitals and clinics rely heavily on costly foreign machinery. His recommendations included tax optimisation strategies to lower healthcare import costs, import substitution policies to spur local manufacturing, and a ₦200 billion innovation fund allocation model powered by predictive analytics to strengthen the nation’s healthcare supply chain.
“What set Emmanuel apart was his ability to merge data analysis with strategic policy thinking,” said Godsent Ndoma, CEO of Zion Tech Hub. “He delivered not just insights, but a blueprint for nation-building in healthcare.”
Speaking on his win, Fagbenle said:
“I’m passionate about healthcare analytics—using data to optimise operations, reduce costs, and improve decision-making in healthcare delivery. My research explores how to evolve analytics using action and predictive models to support health systems.”
Zion Tech Hub, the Port Harcourt–based innovation centre behind the Hackathon, has become a bridge between Africa’s brightest minds and the global technology ecosystem. Known for its work in data science, machine learning, AI, and digital health, the Hub partners with international tech companies, healthcare institutions, and research bodies across North America, Europe, and Asia. Its projects, including an AI-powered cardiovascular disease risk model tailored for African clinical settings, have gained recognition in both national and international media.
With a professional community and alumni working in leading organizations worldwide, Zion Tech Hub continues to connect local talent to global opportunities. The Hackathon, Ndoma noted, is just one example of how the Hub fosters innovation with real-world relevance, empowering participants to design solutions that have both national importance and international potential.
As Nigeria seeks to reduce its dependency on imported medical equipment, Fagbenle’s work offers a concrete path toward a self-sustaining, cost-effective healthcare system—an achievement that underscores both his expertise and Zion Tech Hub’s growing influence on the global stage.
