In an era where African innovation is on the rise, few stories capture the continent’s potential more than that of Joseph Ibiduma Apiriala-Atedoghu, a young Nigerian whose hunger for problem-solving has earned him top honours at one of Ghana’s most forward-thinking institutions, Academic City University.
Joseph, who recently graduated with a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, walked away with multiple top accolades during the university’s 2025 graduation ceremony. Not only was he awarded Best Student in the Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering Department, but he also took home the Academic City President’s Award, a distinction reserved for students who demonstrate exceptional academic excellence and leadership. Perhaps most impressively, Joseph emerged as the Overall Best Student of the Class of 2025, graduating with an extraordinary cumulative GPA of 3.95.
For the soft-spoken but determined young lad, this achievement is more than just a personal triumph. It is the beginning of a lifelong mission to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing African communities through innovation.
A Passion for Purpose
One of Joseph’s standout academic contributions is an innovative project named “Mercury Sensing: A Microcontroller-Compatible Approach for Water Quality Monitoring.” The prototype, developed as part of his final-year thesis, addresses a major environmental issue: mercury contamination of water bodies caused by illegal artisanal mining, a problem that affects both Ghana and Nigeria.
“Many of the communities affected by mercury pollution are the least equipped to monitor or manage it. I wanted to develop a solution that is low-cost, easy to use, and compatible with microcontrollers, so it can be integrated into IoT systems for real-time environmental monitoring,” Joseph said.
His design uses gold’s sensitivity to mercury to detect changes in resistance, making it a powerful yet user-friendly tool for detecting mercury levels in water. By creating a sensor that is both portable and affordable, Joseph hopes to empower local environmental agencies, NGOs, and research institutions with better tools to protect public health and water ecosystems.
The innovation aligns with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), and Life Below Water (SDG 14)—showing that even student projects can have global relevance.
Joseph also led a group of students to develop SMART NELDI, a groundbreaking system that allows users to control devices like lights, fans, and sockets from their smartphones anytime, anywhere.
This innovative project, designed to conserve energy and simplify appliance management, earned recognition at the prestigious Engineering Excellence Awards, organized by the Ghana Institution of Engineering.
Joseph also played a pivotal role in the Surgical Lamp Project, spearheading the effort alongside Biomedical Engineering colleagues to develop an affordable, high-quality operating-room lamp tailored for rural and underserved hospitals. Currently in the manufacturing phase, the team has successfully constructed and assembled the surgical lamp head, an essential milestone demonstrating both technical prowess and deep empathy for communities lacking proper surgical lighting.
The next crucial step involves integrating appropriate light bulbs into their design, bringing the project closer to deployment in clinical settings. By creating a locally sourced, cost-effective lighting solution, Joseph and his teammates are improving surgical outcomes in resource-limited areas, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals like Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) and Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9). Their work exemplifies how innovation, when rooted in compassion and practicality, can significantly enhance healthcare access and quality.
Teamwork and Technology
Joseph didn’t stop at mercury sensing. Together with peers Jefferson Geraldo and Ama Baduwa Baidoo, he also contributed to the Automated Poultry Farm project, an effort to bring smart agriculture solutions to small- and medium-scale poultry farms.
The project, which is currently at the prototyping stage, uses weight sensors to automate the feeding, watering, and egg collection processes. The system reduces manual labour while improving efficiency and animal welfare. Funded by Academic City’s Technology and Entrepreneurship Centre, the innovation reflects the university’s emphasis on entrepreneurship and solving real-world problems.
According to him, “Our goal was to reduce the burden on farmers and make poultry farming more data-driven and less labour-intensive. It is about improving food security through smarter systems.”
A Community of Support
Joseph credits much of his success to the learning environment and support systems at Academic City University. With a curriculum that blends technology, entrepreneurship and leadership, the university prides itself on developing future-ready African leaders.
“Academic City gave me the room to experiment, the mentorship to stay grounded, and the community to keep me inspired. The experience has shaped how I think about challenges—not as obstacles, but as opportunities for impactful innovation,” he reflected.
According to Dr. Lucy Agyepong, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Academic City, Joseph’s story is evidence of what young Africans can achieve when given the right environment. “He exemplifies the kind of talent Africa needs—intellectually brilliant, socially conscious and committed to creating solutions that serve humanity,” she said.
Looking Ahead
As he prepares to take on new challenges beyond university walls, Joseph is focused on deepening his research, collaborating with industry players, and scaling his innovations. His ambition is clear: to be part of the generation that not only imagines a better Africa but builds it.
For many young Nigerians and Ghanaians, Joseph’s story is a beacon of hope. It shows that brilliance knows no borders and that Africa’s next big breakthrough could come from a final-year student with a laptop, an idea, and a burning desire to make a difference.
