UNICROSS Team Emerges First Runner-Up at World Environment Day 2026 Innovation Competition

📅 Posted on June 8, 2026

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Students from the Faculties of Biological Sciences and Engineering of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) have emerged as the first runner-up at an innovation competition organized by the Cross River State Ministry of Environment to commemorate World Environment Day 2026.

The competition, held at Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar, on Friday, June 5, 2026, was themed “Waste Management Innovations for Climate-Resilient Cities” and attracted participation from tertiary institutions across the state, showcasing innovative solutions to pressing environmental challenges.

Representing UNICROSS, the team presented an innovative project titled Urban Run-off to Renewable Energy System (URRE), a solution designed to tackle blocked drainage systems and urban flooding while converting urban runoff into renewable energy. The project aims to enhance the climate resilience of cities through sustainable waste and water management practices.

Following a rigorous evaluation process, the University of Calabar emerged overall winner of the competition, while UNICROSS secured second place as the first runner-up. Arthur Jarvis University finished in third place, while the University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa, placed fourth.

The impressive performance earned the UNICROSS team a substantial cash prize and further demonstrated the University's growing reputation for innovation and problem-solving research.
The students were accompanied by Mr. Ofem Ofem Inah, Civil Engineering Technologist, who contributed significantly to the development of the project, and Prof. Hannah Etta, Director of Academic Planning (DAP), who served as the team lead.

The UNICROSS student team comprised:
Samuel Umoh (22/MEN/106)
Eunice Etira (22/AEB/076)
Aretha Okaroh (20/CEN/081)
David Olawuyi (20/MEN/067)
Samuel Patrick (22/AEB/061)
Charles Obi (20/MEN/053)
Abasiefiok Okpuk (20/MEN/101).

The team expressed profound appreciation to the Vice Chancellor Prof. Francisca Bassey, and the University's Management Team for creating an enabling environment that promotes innovation, research, and academic excellence, thereby empowering students to continually raise the flag of the University at prestigious competitions.

The achievement underscores UNICROSS's commitment to environmental sustainability, innovation, and excellence in higher education, while highlighting the capacity of its students to develop practical solutions to contemporary urban and climate-related challenges.