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A talented young man from Nigeria, Oyekunle Michael, has received a non-refundable grant of £5,000 (about $5,000) from Tony Elumelu, a well-known businessman and philanthropist. Oyekunle is a computer science graduate from Interlink Polytechnic who invented a generator that does not need fuel to work. He spent 13 long years and went through 15 failed attempts before finally building his fuelless generator.
Oyekunle said he feels very honoured and blessed to have been chosen by the Tony Elumelu Foundation. He first applied for the grant in 2021, and although he was not selected then, he kept trying. His hard work paid off, and now he and his team can use the grant to scale up their business and take part in intensive business management training.
In an interview, Oyekunle shared, "I feel great and honoured, especially coming from Mr Tony Elumelu. He is one of Africa’s leading investors and philanthropists. The real joy is when your innovation is recognised by someone like him. I never thought I would be selected." He added that this grant is a big boost for him and his unique invention.
Oyekunle also explained that he is not entirely sure how the judges scored his entry, but he believes his fuel-free generator is unique and different from the traditional power supplies. His invention is eco-friendly and does not emit harmful gases like carbon monoxide. His goal now is to make his generator affordable and accessible to low-income earners, homes, and offices.
He and his team are working hard to make sure that everyone, regardless of their income, can enjoy reliable and sustainable energy solutions. The grant will help them improve their mini factory and support further research and development in this area.
Oyekunle’s story is an inspiring example of perseverance and innovation. Despite facing many challenges, he never gave up on his dream. His achievement shows that with hard work and determination, even the toughest obstacles can be overcome. This grant is not only a personal success for Oyekunle but also a promising step forward in the field of clean energy.
