Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has strengthened its partnership with Enactus Nigeria to promote innovation, sustainability and youth development in Nigeria’s construction industry.
The collaboration, implemented through the Julius Berger Innovation Challenge (JBIC) 2026 Mentorship Programme, is aimed at equipping young Nigerians with the knowledge, skills and industry exposure required to develop practical solutions to challenges within the construction value chain.
The programme brought together undergraduate students from tertiary institutions across the country and provided them with mentorship from industry professionals, entrepreneurial guidance and opportunities to gain firsthand exposure to the construction sector.
Participants were challenged to develop innovative and sustainable ideas capable of addressing some of the industry’s major challenges, including resource efficiency, waste management, sustainable materials, energy performance, climate resilience, affordable housing and smart infrastructure.
Speaking at the programme, Country Director of Enactus Nigeria, Michael Ajayi, described the partnership with Julius Berger as a strategic investment in the future of the construction sector and the development of young innovators.
He said the initiative was designed not merely as a competition but as a platform for students to acquire practical skills and develop solutions to real-world problems.
“The partnership between Enactus Nigeria and Julius Berger is forward-looking because it is highly aspirational in its expected achievements and outcomes,” Ajayi said.
He added that the collaboration was creating opportunities for students to develop the skills, innovative mindset and leadership qualities required to contribute meaningfully to national development.
According to Ajayi, the projects presented by participants demonstrated the creativity, resilience and determination of Nigerian youths to contribute to solving pressing national challenges.
He said the challenge had also highlighted the ability of Nigerian students to develop concepts with potential applications in sustainable construction, improved building processes and other emerging areas of the industry.
“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,” he said.
Ajayi expressed optimism that continued support and mentorship would enable some of the ideas developed through the programme to evolve into practical solutions with transformative impact on the construction industry.
Also speaking at the grand finale, Chief Risk Officer of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Mrs Shakira Mustapha, said the programme went beyond the conclusion of an innovation competition.
According to her, it was a celebration of creativity, collaboration and the capacity of young Nigerians to influence the future of the built environment.
“Today is a celebration of innovation, creativity, collaboration and the limitless potential of young Nigerians to shape the future of our built environment,” Mustapha said.
She explained that the Julius Berger Innovation Challenge was established to provide students with an opportunity to identify and develop solutions to sustainability challenges facing Nigeria’s construction industry.
Mustapha noted that the future of construction would increasingly depend on innovation, sustainability and fresh perspectives alongside conventional engineering expertise.
She said participants had examined issues ranging from efficient use of resources and sustainable building materials to waste reduction, energy efficiency, climate resilience, affordable housing and smart infrastructure.
Commending the quality of the ideas presented, Mustapha said the programme had demonstrated the capacity of Nigerian youths to understand environmental and social challenges and develop innovative responses to them.
“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.
She reaffirmed Julius Berger’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote sustainable development, innovation and youth empowerment, particularly those capable of contributing to the long-term growth and transformation of Nigeria’s built environment.
