US senator lauds Nigerian girl over $11.5m air filters
Connecticut State Senator, Matt Lesser, has hailed a 12-year-old Nigerian girl, Eniola Shokunbi, over her low-cost air filters project for classrooms in the United States.
She made headlines during the week following the unveiling of her innovative project to improve air quality in schools.
The Connecticut State Bond Commission approved $11.5m in funding for her initiative, which was focused on producing low-cost air filters for classrooms in October 2024.
Commending her invention, Lesser said, “Eniola is fabulous. She wows every room she’s in front of. She’s a real rock star.”
The Nigerian prodigy began the project as a fifth grader at Commodore MacDonough STEM Academy in Middletown.
She embarked on the novel project of creating a solution to enhance safety in schools during potential future pandemics.
Her idea came through when she was motivated by the need for better air quality to address airborne viruses like COVID-19.
According to American media, Shokunbi designed an air filter system that showcased both innovation and cost-effectiveness.
The unit is constructed using a simple combination of components: a box fan, four furnace filters, duct tape, and cardboard.
The assembly results in a remarkably low production cost of approximately $60 per unit, making it a highly affordable alternative to commercial air purifiers.
Describing her project, she stated that the only thing that eliminates sickness is science, as she called for investment in children for a greater future.
“The air goes through all the sides, and it comes out of the top, so it filters in and out,” she said.
Shokunbi’s design underwent testing with the assistance of scientists at the University of Connecticut.
Also, the Environmental Protection Agency confirmed that the device eliminates over 99% of airborne viruses.
