Two Nigerian students, Daniel Itegboje, a Medicine and Surgery student at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State, and Israel Smart, an Engineering student at the African Leadership University, have been named to the top 50 shortlist for the prestigious Chegg.org Global Student Prize 2025. The annual $100,000 award recognises exceptional students who have made a major impact on learning, their peers, and society at large.
Selected from nearly 11,000 nominations and applications spanning 148 countries, their inclusion highlights the global recognition of their impactful work. The Global Student Prize, now in its fifth year, serves as a platform to celebrate outstanding students who are actively reshaping the world for the better, often through entrepreneurial ventures and community-driven initiatives.
Daniel Itegboje exemplifies a unique blend of scientific pursuit and creative advocacy. As a medical student at the University of Benin, he is also a multi-award-winning documentary filmmaker. Through 3WM Productions, which he co-founded, Itegboje crafts narratives that explore social issues such as health equity, youth vulnerability, and resilience.
His latest documentary, On Your Own (OYO) , discusses the untold story of the “Elema” boys (street children in Benin City). The film’s critical acclaim, including selection at over 24 film festivals (among them the Oscar-qualifying Durban International Film Festival) and a nomination for Best Documentary at the AMVCA Awards, reflects its powerful social impact. Beyond filmmaking, Itegboje is actively working to establish a rehabilitation centre for these boys, a vision he intends to bring to life with any potential prize winnings. His entrepreneurial spirit extends to “Stories from Benin,” a YouTube docuseries that has garnered over 150,000 viewers, and public health outreach programmes impacting more than 2,000 students. Globally recognised by entities like Sony and the French Embassy, he also mentors young creatives through film labs and fellowships.
Israel Smart’s journey is considered a testament to resilience and a commitment to social change. Growing up amidst violence and instability in northeastern Nigeria, his pursuit of education was fraught with peril. At the age of 11, after losing his father and surviving a Boko Haram school attack, Smart made a promise to make education accessible for all children, especially those displaced by conflict and poverty. This pledge led him to found OneChild Africa, a non-profit organisation dedicated to delivering STEM education, mentorship, and scholarships to over 49,000 children across six African countries. The group has established learning hubs, facilitated the return of over 2,000 children to school, and launched DREAM SPACE, a mobile STEM lab bringing hands-on science education to underserved rural communities.
Beyond education, Smart has ventured into innovative solutions for hunger and climate change. He co-founded Smartel, a pioneering venture that recycles plastic waste into AI-powered hydroponic farms. These sustainable systems are now feeding schoolchildren and supporting school gardens in low-resource settings, demonstrating a scalable approach to food security. Smartel has trained over 4,000 farmers and installed more than 500 hydroponic systems, significantly improving nutrition in drought-affected regions. Smart’s innovations have garnered international recognition from prestigious organisations including the United Nations, World Food Programme, Nobel Foundation, and the Ban Ki-moon Foundation. He is also developing Menava, an AI platform focused on maternal health, while maintaining a stellar academic record in software engineering with a 4.98 GPA. His ambitious vision for 2030 includes connecting five million children to education and the internet, expanding local food systems, and empowering young Africans to innovate their way into a better future.
These two Nigerian finalists exemplify the nation’s growing entrepreneurial and innovative spirit, particularly among its youth. As Nathan Schultz, president and CEO of Chegg, Inc., remarked, “At Chegg, we’re proud to support and celebrate the changemakers who aren’t just imagining a better world – they’re building it. From environmental and social justice to education, health, and youth empowerment, this year’s Global Student Prize finalists are tackling the world’s most pressing challenges with courage and innovation.”
Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey Foundation,also commented on the accomplishments, “Congratulations, Daniel and Israel. Your stories are a powerful reminder that education is a catalyst for solving global challenges. At a time when the world is changing rapidly, investing in education has never been more vital. It’s how we prepare the next generation to lead with purpose, think boldly, and shape a better future,” he stated.
