12-Year-Old Nigerian-American Girl Invents Air Filter, Secures $11.5M Funding

A brilliant 12-year-old Nigerian-American inventor has created a groundbreaking air filter, attracting $11.5 million in funding to bring her innovation to life. 

A 12-year-old Nigerian-American girl in the US invents an air filter and receives $11.5 million in funding.

Eniola Sokunbi, a 12-year-old girl of Nigerian-American descent, has gained attention in the United States for her groundbreaking air filter design intended to minimize the transmission of airborne diseases in schools.

Eniola, a resident of Connecticut, developed an affordable air filter system that has recently secured $11.5 million in funding from the Connecticut State Bond Commission.

Eniola, a fifth-grade student at Commodore MacDonough STEM Academy in Middletown, was motivated to develop an air filter for a school project aimed at enhancing safety during possible future pandemics.

She developed her invention to address the demand for efficient and affordable air purification in classrooms, aiming to combat airborne viruses like COVID-19.

Eniola’s design is impressively straightforward and budget-friendly, utilizing a box fan, four furnace filters, duct tape, and cardboard. This setup costs only $60 per unit to produce, offering an affordable alternative to high-priced commercial air purifiers.

“The air circulates from all sides and exits through the top, effectively filtering in and out,” she explained.

The air filter was subjected to thorough testing with the assistance of scientists from the University of Connecticut (UConn).

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirmed the device’s effectiveness, stating that it removes over 99% of airborne viruses. This demonstrates its potential to greatly improve safety in school settings.

The State Bond Commission has recently allocated $11.5 million as part of UConn’s SAFE-CT: Supplemental Air Filtration for Education Program, which seeks to equip every public school classroom in Connecticut with these advanced air filters.

Eniola’s vision extends beyond her home state; she aims for her air filters to be installed in classrooms nationwide.

“Many people fail to recognize that science is the key barrier preventing illness,” Eniola stated, highlighting the critical need for investment in scientific solutions to safeguard children’s health.