Students of Yaba College of Technology have developed an electric tricycle and an artificial intelligence-powered food delivery platform, as part of efforts to address Nigeria’s urban mobility, energy and logistics challenges.
The innovations were presented during an institutional showcase in Lagos, where students demonstrated practical solutions targeting rising fuel costs, inefficient transport systems and gaps in last-mile delivery services.
In a statement, the institution’s Deputy Registrar for Centre for Communication, Information and Public Relations, Adekunle Adams, said the projects reflect a growing emphasis on applied learning and sustainability-focused innovation.
He said a team of Higher National Diploma Mechanical Engineering students, led by Chukwuma Chisom, developed the electric tricycle, which emerged as the overall best project at the event.
According to Adams, the team converted a petrol-powered tricycle into a fully electric vehicle, replacing its internal combustion engine with a 72-volt, 4-kilowatt brushless direct current motor, a smart controller and a lithium battery system.
He said the prototype delivers approximately 45 kilometres per charge, with projections that an upgraded commercial model could achieve close to 200 kilometres of daily operation, positioning it as a viable option for intra-city transport and last-mile connectivity.
“The innovation demonstrates the potential to reduce fuel dependence, lower transport costs and support the transition to cleaner energy systems,” Adams said, adding that the design also reduces noise pollution and maintenance requirements compared with conventional petrol-powered tricycles.
The development aligns with broader efforts to decarbonise Nigeria’s transport sector, where fossil fuel-powered vehicles remain dominant and contribute significantly to urban air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Also unveiled at the event was an AI-powered food delivery platform developed by student innovator Uba Mathew, aimed at improving efficiency in urban logistics.
Adams said the platform uses artificial intelligence to personalise meal recommendations, optimise delivery routes and enhance coordination between vendors and riders.
He added that the system integrates customer feedback, predictive demand tools and rider performance tracking to improve service quality and accountability, while also helping small food businesses increase visibility and manage orders more effectively.
The innovation targets persistent challenges in Nigeria’s delivery ecosystem, including delays, poor coordination and limited data-driven decision-making.
Speaking at the event, YABATECH Rector Ibraheem Abdul urged students to prioritise innovation and skills development, noting that technology-driven solutions are critical to economic growth and sustainability.
He said aligning student-led innovations with national development priorities and global technological trends would enhance job creation and entrepreneurship opportunities.
The showcase highlights the increasing role of tertiary institutions in Nigeria in developing scalable solutions to energy transition, urban mobility and digital economy challenges, particularly as cities face growing pressure from population growth and infrastructure deficits.
