Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has reinforced its commitment to innovation, sustainability and youth empowerment through a strengthened partnership with Enactus Nigeria under the Julius Berger Innovation Challenge (JBIC) 2026 Mentorship Programme, an initiative designed to equip young Nigerians with the skills, exposure and support needed to develop practical solutions to challenges within the construction industry.
The programme brought together undergraduate students from tertiary institutions across the country, providing them with access to mentorship from industry experts, entrepreneurial guidance and valuable industry exposure. Through the initiative, participants were challenged to develop innovative and sustainable solutions capable of addressing critical issues across Nigeria’s construction value chain.
Speaking at the programme, Country Director of Enactus Nigeria, Michael Ajayi, described the collaboration between both organisations as a strategic investment in the future of Nigeria’s construction sector and the next generation of innovators.
“The partnership between Enactus Nigeria and Julius Berger is forward-looking because it is highly aspirational in its expected achievements and outcomes,” Ajayi said, adding, “Together, we are creating opportunities for students to develop the skills, innovative mindset and leadership qualities required for nation-building.”
Ajayi noted that beyond competition, the initiative serves as a platform for nurturing practical solutions to real-world challenges.
“The projects presented by students represent far more than academic exercises. They reflect the ingenuity, resilience and determination of a generation committed to building a better Nigeria,” he added.
According to him, the challenge has demonstrated the remarkable capacity of Nigerian students to develop innovative concepts relevant to sustainable construction, improved building processes and emerging industry needs.
“What we have seen in this challenge, with Enactus students across the country presenting so many innovations, is truly exciting. These are groundbreaking ideas developed by young Nigerians with the potential to create meaningful impact,” Ajayi said, expressing confidence that with continued support, several of the ideas could evolve into transformative solutions for the construction industry.
Delivering the keynote address at the programme’s grand finale, Chief Risk Officer of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Shakira Mustapha, said the event represented more than the conclusion of a competition.
“Today is a celebration of innovation, creativity, collaboration and the limitless potential of young Nigerians to shape the future of our built environment,” she said.
Mustapha explained that the vision behind the Julius Berger Innovation Challenge was to provide students across Nigeria with a platform to address pressing sustainability challenges confronting the construction sector.
She emphasized that the future of construction would increasingly be driven by innovation, sustainability and fresh thinking, in addition to traditional engineering expertise.
“Participants explored critical issues including resource efficiency, sustainable materials, waste reduction, energy performance, climate resilience, affordable housing and smart infrastructure, while developing practical solutions to address them,” she noted.
Commending the quality of ideas presented during the programme, Mustapha described the outcomes as an encouraging reflection of the ingenuity and determination of Nigerian youths.
“This programme has shown that Nigeria is blessed with a generation of young people who understand the environmental and social challenges of their time and are determined to develop solutions for them,” she said.
Reaffirming Julius Berger’s commitment to sustainable development, Mustapha stressed that sustainability remains central to the company’s long-term vision and operational philosophy.
“The decisions we make today have lasting implications for future generations. This is why we must continue investing in innovation, education and human capital development while advancing responsible construction practices,” she stated.
She further acknowledged the contributions of Enactus Nigeria, the Green Building Council of Nigeria, mentors, judges, faculty advisers and organising teams whose expertise helped shape participants’ ideas into practical and scalable solutions.
Encouraging participants to continue refining their innovations beyond the competition, Mustapha noted that the true success of the initiative extends far beyond the awards presented.
“The success of this challenge is not measured solely by the winners recognized today, but also by the confidence gained, the skills developed, the partnerships established and the potential of these ideas to transform our industry,” she said.
Calling on young innovators to remain bold and creative, she added: “We need innovators who are willing to challenge convention, embrace sustainability and create solutions that improve lives.”
Also speaking, Ndukwu Ebere, a representative of the winning team from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), described the mentorship programme as a life-changing experience that provided participants with unique insights into innovation, entrepreneurship and industry practice.
“It was so eye-opening and amazing. Throughout the process, we had the opportunity to engage directly with industry experts and receive practical guidance on our project,” Ebere said.
She explained that the mentorship sessions enabled the team to strengthen its project while gaining valuable entrepreneurial and leadership skills.
“We learned how to transform a technical project into an actual business while gaining entrepreneurial leadership skills, sustainable practices and much more,” she added.
Expressing appreciation to Julius Berger and the programme mentors, Ebere said: “To the entire Julius Berger family, our mentors and executives, we say a very huge thank you. It is a great privilege to have participated in this programme, and we are deeply grateful for the opportunity.”
The Julius Berger Innovation Challenge 2026 Mentorship Programme highlights the company’s continuing commitment to fostering innovation, empowering young talents and promoting sustainable construction practices. Through its partnership with Enactus Nigeria, the company is helping to nurture a new generation of innovators whose ideas have the potential to advance Nigeria’s built environment and contribute meaningfully to the country’s sustainable development goals.
