A University of Lagos student has secured the first prize at the Huawei Global Information and Communications Technology Competition in Shenzhen, China, outperforming thousands of international tech contenders.
Peter A. Fagbola, an undergraduate in the Department of Systems Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering and a member of the ABS-CITS Huawei Academy, achieved the milestone as part of Team Nigeria Cloud. The elite global contest attracted top-tier university students from across multiple continents.
Fagbola’s progression to the international stage began when he placed as the overall winner in the Cloud and AI Track during the national preliminaries. Following that victory, he advanced alongside his teammates to the Southern Africa Regional Competition, where they captured the first-place position and secured an official ticket to represent Nigeria at the world finals in China.
At the grand finale in Shenzhen, Team Nigeria Cloud outpaced rival delegations to claim the top honor alongside a cash reward of 3.5 million Naira. Following their return, Fagbola and fellow awardees received formal recognition at the Huawei Education Summit held in Abuja.
The university administration lauded the milestone as a reflection of high academic standards and institutional support. In an official statement released by the institution, management emphasised that the victory highlights institutional excellence.
"Mr. Fagbola’s success reflects not only his exceptional talent and dedication but also the quality of mentorship and training provided by UNILAG," the university stated. "His achievement is a testament to the University’s commitment to nurturing innovators who can compete and win at the highest levels".
University leaders added that the accomplishment serves as a powerful motivational benchmark for the student body.
"Mr. Fagbola’s feat is more than a trophy; it is a beacon of inspiration for other students to strive for excellence in both national and international competitions," the statement continued. "His story embodies the values of self-discovery, perseverance, and global competitiveness that UNILAG champions".
UNILAG Vice-Chancellor Professor Folasade Ogunsola extended official commendations on behalf of the Senate, staff, and student community, wishing the young engineer continued success in his future professional endeavours.