At 12, Nigerian-American Eniola Shokunbi Built a $60 Air Purifier That Could Change Classrooms Forever
When a fifth-grade science assignment became a global breakthrough, 12-year-old Nigerian-American inventor Eniola Shokunbi created a low-cost air purifier capable of removing 99 % of airborne viruses, earning a massive $11.5 million funding boost and inspiring young innovators around the world.
Twelve-year-old Eniola Shokunbi, a Nigerian-American student at Commodore MacDonough STEM Academy in Middletown, Connecticut, didn’t just complete a school project — she solved a real-world problem. Tasked with imagining ways to protect schools from future airborne health threats, she invented an affordable air purification system that has attracted international recognition and major funding.
The device, built simply from a box fan, furnace filters, duct tape, and cardboard, costs about $60 to make — a fraction of the price of most commercial purifiers. That simple design proved surprisingly powerful: scientists at the University of Connecticut tested it, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirmed it can remove more than 99 % of airborne viruses, making classrooms safer for students and teachers alike.
Eniola’s work didn’t stop at impressing her teachers. The Connecticut State Bond Commission approved $11.5 million to produce and install these purifiers across public schools in the state — a remarkable vote of confidence in what began as a young student’s idea.
Leaders have hailed her achievement not just as a scientific win, but as a powerful symbol of youth potential. Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, called Eniola a “beacon of hope” whose success will improve lives, create jobs, and open doors for more young innovators — especially in Nigeria and the diaspora.
During a recent visit to Nigeria, Eniola shared her message with other young people: “As a Nigerian youth, you can do anything — and any problem you see has a solution. It’s up to you to find it.” Her words echo far beyond classrooms.
Eniola’s story shows that innovation isn’t about age or status — it starts with curiosity and a willingness to act. At a time when the world seeks solutions to global health and environmental challenges, this young inventor’s achievement is more than news; it’s a call to every child with a question, an idea, or a concern: your contribution matters, and it can change the world.
