A biologist and environmental researcher with roots in aquaculture and sustainable resource management, Joshua Temiloluwa Oyeboade will bring scientific depth and practical insight to the Environmental Sustainability and Agricultural Technology Award categories at the BAT Hackathon 2022.
Bridge Africa Technologies (BAT) has announced the appointment of Mr. Joshua Temiloluwa Oyeboade to the judging panel for the 2022 BAT Hackathon, one of Africa’s leading platforms for emerging innovators. The event, held as part of the annual BAT Award Conference, celebrates solutions that address some of the continent’s most pressing challenges through technology, research, and social innovation.
Joshua’s inclusion in this year’s panel underscores BAT’s commitment to grounded expertise. His background in biology, ecological research, and quality control gives him a unique lens for evaluating both environmental and agricultural innovations. As sustainability becomes a defining frontier for African development, BAT’s choice of judges reflects a deliberate focus on science-led impact rather than trend-driven ideas.
He will serve on two key panels: Environmental Sustainability and Green Innovation and Agricultural Technology and Food Systems Innovation, both categories that sit at the intersection of science, environment, and human well-being.
From Aquaculture Foundations to Global Research
Joshua’s journey began at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Aquaculture and Fisheries Management. At the university’s Hatchery Unit, he contributed to research projects that improved sustainable fishery systems and promoted freshwater ecosystem balance. Those early years built his appreciation for data, observation, and community-centered environmental management.
After graduation, he joined Feedall Nigeria Enterprises as an Assistant Quality Control Manager, overseeing production standards in the agricultural sector. His work focused on aligning manufacturing processes with environmental guidelines, ensuring that productivity and ecological responsibility could coexist. This blend of industry exposure and research precision shaped the analytical mindset he brings to evaluating innovation.
Joshua advances his academic career at Western Illinois University (WIU), USA, pursuing graduate studies in Biology. As a Graduate Teaching Assistant, he will combine instruction with hands-on research at the Fisheries Laboratory and Alice L. Kibbe Biological Field Station. His work there will involve species observation, field data analysis, and ecosystem modeling, strengthening his understanding of how environmental systems respond to human activity.
Beyond his academic achievements, his commitment to leadership and community service is evident through various roles. He has served as the vice president of the Intra Campus Joint Christian Fellowship (ICJCF) FUNAAB Chapter, and currently holds the position of zonal coordinator for the Nigerian Christian Corpers Fellowship (NCCF) in Onueke Local Government, Ebonyi State. Furthermore, he serves as the president of the Mass Literacy and Education Community Service in Ebonyi State. His dedication extends to environmental stewardship, where he volunteered with the Aquaworld Community Development Initiative and The Great Minds in Nigeria, actively promoting awareness of aquatic sustainability. These diverse experiences highlight a scientist who understands that leadership, community engagement, and education are crucial complements to technical expertise in driving innovation.
Judging the Environmental Sustainability and Green Innovation Category
The Environmental Sustainability and Green Innovation Award recognizes ideas that protect ecosystems, promote renewable resource management, and drive responsible waste reduction. For Joshua, judging this category means looking beyond concepts and focusing on measurable impact.
He will evaluate how each project defines and tracks environmental outcomes: water quality improvement, carbon reduction, biodiversity gains, or waste conversion efficiency. He values projects that can demonstrate scientific validity, data transparency, and practical feasibility.
“Every true environmental solution must connect evidence with action,” Joshua explains. “Sustainability is not a slogan; it is the ability to prove that the environment is healthier because of what you built.”
His approach will encourage participants to think about lifecycle impact: how materials are sourced, how waste is handled, and how communities benefit long after prototypes leave the lab. He also emphasizes scalability, reminding innovators that sustainability must work at both small and industrial levels to make lasting change.
Assessing Agricultural Technology and Food Systems Innovation
In the Agricultural Technology and Food Systems Innovation Award, Joshua’s expertise in aquaculture and quality control will be key. He understands the realities of production systems and the subtle challenges that farmers and food producers face in balancing efficiency, safety, and cost.
He will assess projects on the reliability of their prototypes, their compliance with food and environmental safety standards, and their potential for widespread adoption among smallholder farmers. He often asks practical questions: Can this system be maintained locally? Are the data outputs understandable to farmers? What are the real costs of adoption and upkeep?
“Innovation in agriculture succeeds when it works for the farmer in the field and the consumer at the table,” Joshua says. “Technology should make food safer, production cleaner, and communities more resilient.”
By combining his background in fisheries and process control, he brings both a scientific and operational perspective to agricultural evaluation. He will look for projects that demonstrate measurable gains in yield, resource efficiency, and environmental safety, while staying affordable and adaptable.
Recognitions that Reinforce Credibility
Joshua has received multiple honors throughout his academic and professional career, such as the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) Scholarship, ICJCF Most Active Executives for 2019/2020 Academic session, the NCCF Leadership Awards of Excellence, and the Great Minds Personnel of the year award. Beyond technical achievements, his dedication to community engagement is evident in his receipt of the Volunteer Award, reflecting his core belief that meaningful environmental progress hinges on community participation.
These achievements affirm his credibility as both a researcher and a mentor. His experience across research labs, community programs, and production environments ensures that his feedback to hackathon participants will be both grounded and transformative.
Appointing Joshua Oyeboade as a judge at the BAT Hackathon 2022 signals BAT’s intention to elevate discussions around sustainability and agricultural technology to a higher scientific standard. His track record demonstrates that environmental management is not about theory but about data-backed, measurable change.
His presence on the panel bridges generations of innovators: the young founders experimenting with clean technologies and the research community that provides the evidence base for responsible implementation. For BAT, this alignment reflects a broader vision of nurturing innovation ecosystems that serve both economic and ecological goals.
A Call to Innovators
The BAT Hackathon 2022 is now open for entries. Teams across Africa are invited to present ideas that advance sustainability, improve agricultural systems, and leverage technology for social good. This year’s competition will bring together scientists, engineers, software developers, and entrepreneurs to co-create solutions that matter.
Submissions will be judged on clarity of problem definition, technical soundness, social and environmental impact, and the ability to demonstrate measurable progress within a reasonable timeframe. Joshua and the rest of the panel will ensure that every project is evaluated with fairness, depth, and real-world understanding.
Innovators seeking to turn research into actionable solutions are encouraged to apply. The hackathon is more than a contest; it is a laboratory of ideas shaping the future of sustainable innovation in Africa.
As BAT continues to spotlight individuals who blend science, leadership, and service, Joshua Oyeboade’s appointment reminds us that Africa’s environmental and agricultural future depends on thinkers who can also do. His balance of fieldwork, academic rigor, and community engagement makes him a strong voice for the kind of progress BAT aims to celebrate.
With judges like him on board, the BAT Hackathon 2022 promises to be not just a competition but a catalyst for responsible innovation across the continent.
Applications for BAT Hackathon 2022 are now open.