AUST Team Shortlisted for NASENI DELT-HER Mentorship and Funding Initiative

A team of researchers from the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) has been shortlisted for mentorship and funding under the prestigious DELT-HER Initiative, a flagship program of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Product Innovation, Commercialization, and Technology Transfer (PICTT) Scheme in Nigeria.

Their proposal, titled “Innovative Water Purification Using Agro-Waste Nanomaterials: A Female-Led Low-Cost Scalable Approach to Clean Water Access,” was selected for its creativity, sustainability, and potential to address Nigeria’s pressing water challenges, especially in underserved communities.

The DELT-HER Initiative is designed to support innovators and entrepreneurs with mentorship, funding, and technical guidance to help advance impactful research and commercialize homegrown solutions. Being shortlisted marks a significant milestone for the AUST team, affirming the relevance of their innovation to both national development and the global sustainability agenda.

Speaking on the achievement, Team Lead, Halima Saliu, expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the team’s commitment to developing accessible, affordable, and eco-friendly water purification technologies. “This opportunity reinforces our belief in the power of innovation to transform lives, especially through the inclusion of women in science and technology,” she said.

The project brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts with strong backgrounds in materials science, nanotechnology, environmental engineering, and digital transformation.

• Halima Saliu (Team Lead) holds an MSc in Petroleum Engineering and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Material Science and Engineering. With over eight years of experience in water treatment technologies, she leads the nanomaterials development and project coordination.
• Raji Kaosarat Ayodamola (Co-Investigator) specializes in nanotechnology and materials characterization, contributing to process design and community engagement.
• Michael Aperebo (Co-Investigator) brings over 12 years of expertise in agro-waste valorization and environmental engineering, leading system design and implementation.
• Jamila Ado Wailare (Laboratory Analyst), a microbiologist, is responsible for water quality testing and monitoring.
• Saliu Abubakar Ojo (Technology Consultant), an experienced technology strategist, oversees the project’s digital strategy, solution design, and implementation coordination.

The team’s selection underlines AUST’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation-driven research and its commitment to producing solutions that address real-world challenges.

With the mentorship and funding provided by NASENI’s DELT-HER Initiative, the AUST team is poised to advance their prototype and scale up the technology for wider adoption, contributing to cleaner water access and sustainable development across Nigeria and beyond.