Lumos Laboratories, founded by renowned Nigerian scientist Ejikeme Nwosu, has won a €40,000 (over N65M) Challenge for its innovative project to convert plastic waste into interlocking tiles and bricks. This project, the Protego Innovation Challenge, aims to prevent marine litter in Nigeria and will involve training local communities in the process.
Ejikeme Nwosu, founder of Lumos Laboratories, Abuja, took to his social media platforms to announce the good news.
He wrote: “We are glad to have won the Protego Innovation Challenge! “In this challenge, we will be converting plastic waste into interlocking tiles and bricks in a chosen hotspot region. We will also train the local community on the process using our innovative indigenous solutions. This project is funded by the German government, and we are very grateful to them. We will do great justice to this all-important project for a better environment and a more empowered population”.
The PROTEGO project is funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection (BMUV, Germany) and implemented by adelphi in partnership with several organizations. Lumos Laboratories’ innovative solution was selected ahead of several entries.
Recall that Lumos Laboratories won the Hydrogen Innovation of the Year award at the Global African Hydrogen Summit in Windhoek, Namibia, beating Namibian and US firms.
The company has equally been recognized for its groundbreaking work in converting human waste into hydrogen-rich gases and generating electricity.
Nwosu’s work has earned him recognition, including being named “Anambra Innovator of the Year” and featured by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as one of Nigeria’s outstanding inventors.
His innovative solutions have the potential to address pressing environmental challenges and promote sustainable development.