In a remarkable display of innovation and excellence, medical students from Obafemi Awolowo University emerged as one of the winners at the 2024 Mega Designathon, held at the National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) in Yaba, Lagos from April 2-6, 2024. NIMR organising partners include Washington State University, the University of North Carolina, the National Cancer Institute, and other esteemed organizations.

This four-day event aimed to harness the creative potential of youth in developing innovative, self-devised, and well-researched solutions to increase vaccination uptake, promote early screening for cervical cancer, and prevent Hepatitis B, HIV, and hypertension.

Over 140 Nigerian youths, aged 19 to 24, participated in the Designathon, selected from an initial pool of over 1000 applicants. The competition was intense, with teams pitching their ideas in their respective categories. The teams from Obafemi Awolowo University emerged as second runners-up in two of the four categories they contested.

The Designathon began with each team submitting their innovative ideas. The top 10 teams, comprising 140 participants, were then selected for the next phase. This was followed by a three-day workshop, which included training on human-centered design thinking approaches, panel sessions, and mentorship sessions to assess the feasibility and innovation of ideas. On the final day, the teams pitched their solutions to a panel of judges from diverse backgrounds.

The two winning teams from Obafemi Awolowo University are Team Shield (Akinmoladun Precious, Eshemokhai Okhesomi, Ibironke Bright, Akanni Shukrah, and Elufioye Victoria, competed in the 4Communities Category) who pitched on “How to Increase Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination Coverage Among Girls in Nigeria”; and Team Hexa (Olowoyeye Aishat, Akindele Boluwatife, Obaniyi Oluwatotele, and Ikotun Taofikat, competed in the 4Mothers and Babies Category) who presented on “How to Promote Birth-Dose Hepatitis B Vaccination in Newborns in Nigeria.”

The participation of the teams was supported by the Dean of our Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Professor O.A. Sowande, and the Heads of our respective departments: Professor O.N. Makinde, Professor Obianjuwa, Professor Boladale Mapayi, Professor Ibitoye, and Dr. Olanrewaju.