Kaduna State Government has awarded N3,000,000 (N3 million) to a group of students of Ahmadu Bello University for developing an innovative walking aid for the visually impaired.
A statement from the Public Affairs Directorate Office of the VC said the students received the cash award at a brief ceremony held at the Ministry of Youth Development in Kaduna on Tuesday, 15th September, 2026.
The development followed the recent Final Year Project Exhibition organised by the Department of Computer Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where various projects by final year students were displayed.
One of the displayed student projects – an innovative walking aid designed to assist visually impaired persons – attracted considerable social media attention for its innovative features and potential social impact.
On account of the attention generated by the project, Kaduna Government invited the students to present and demonstrate the innovative walking aid.
It was at an event organised to commemorate the International Youth Day in Kaduna on 4th September, 2026.
At the event, the students presented the project and demonstrated its functionality.
Impressed by the innovation and its potential to support persons living with visual impairment, the state government pledged an award of N3,000,000 to the project team.
Members of the student project team include Abdullahi Misbahu Anchau, Usman Abdullahi, Sadiq Abdulmumin, Muhammad Kabir Kabir, Shamsudeen Aminu, Shehu Hauwa Modibbo, Ibrahim Khadija Musa, Adamu Aliyu, Auwal Adamu, and Mujahideen Abubakar.
The project team was accompanied to receive the award in Kaduna by the Director, Advancement and International Education; Head of Computer Engineering, Dr Basira Yahaya; and Dr Saminu Idris of the Department of Political Science and International Studies.
The Head of Department of Computer Engineering, Dr Basira Yahaya, described the award as a significant achievement for the students, the Department, and the university at large.
She also said it further demonstrates the potential of student innovations developed to address real-world social challenges and attract external support.
