2025: Education innovator, Onuigbo wins Africa Prize award

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

An education innovator and social entrepreneur, John Onuigbo has been named winner of The Future Awards Africa Prize for Education 2025. 

The award, which celebrates young Africans driving measurable change across the continent, recognises Onuigbo’s work in improving access to quality STEM and entrepreneurship education for students in underserved communities.

Onuigbo is the founder and Chief executive officer of Foris Labs, a virtual science laboratory that enables secondary school students to perform experiments in physics, chemistry, and biology through interactive digital simulations. 

The platform was created in response to the shortage of functional laboratories in many Nigerian schools. It is now used by schools across the country to help students understand core scientific concepts and to support teachers in delivering practical lessons.

Onuigbo also founded Stemnovo NG, a programme that provides students in rural and semi-urban communities with training in coding, robotics, and entrepreneurship. 

Since it began, the initiative has reached over 17,000 young people and helped many of them develop technology-based solutions to local challenges.

Onuigbo became the first African to win the Stanford Center on Longevity Design Challenge in 2021. The global innovation competition celebrates ideas that advance learning, health, and wellbeing. 

His leadership has also guided Nigerian students to several international and national victories, including the World Affairs Challenge, the Diamond Challenge, the National Girls in ICT Competition, and the UK–Nigeria Debate Championship.

He served as the youngest member of the South East Development Commission’s Venture Capital Advisory Committee, where he contributed to the framework for youth-focused innovation and entrepreneurship development.

In 2025, he was named a Social Shifters Fellow and appointed to the Social Shifters Global Youth Council, a network that promotes inclusive innovation among young leaders around the world.

Speaking after receiving the award, Onuigbo said, “This recognition is a reminder of what is possible when young people are given the chance to learn, build, and lead. 

The work continues until every child in Africa has access to the tools and opportunities that allow them to reach their full potential.”

The Future Awards Africa, now in its 19th edition, was held at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos. This year’s ceremony, themed “Threads of Legacy,” honoured young achievers across several categories, including governance, technology, sports, and entrepreneurship. The event featured notable figures from business, entertainment, and public service.

Reflecting on this year’s edition, Ayodeji Razaq, Executive Director of The Future Awards Africa, said the awards are designed to inspire a generation determined to build a stronger continent.

 “We are proud to honour exceptional young people who are adding the threads to our collective legacy. The legacy is not built in a single moment but through every decision we make. After tonight, we will keep weaving our collective tapestry to bring Africa into the glorious future we all deserve,” he said.

Other winners included content creator Mariam “Taaooma” Apaokagi, who received the Prize for Content Creation, and Super Falcons forward Rasheedat Ajibade, who won the Prize for Sports.

Veteran comedian Ali Baba received the honorary Prize for Service to Young People, while Fola David was named Young Person of the Year.

John Onuigbo’s recognition adds to a growing list of awards that highlight his contribution to education innovation in Nigeria and Africa.