John Onuigbo is an education innovator and social entrepreneur whose work focuses on helping students in vulnerable communities gain the skills and confidence to thrive in the future workforce, regardless of the limitations of their environment. His mission lies at the intersection of education, entrepreneurship, and technology, where he creates transformative learning opportunities that bridge access and possibility for young people across Nigeria and beyond.

John is the founder and chief executive officer of Foris Labs, a virtual science laboratory that enables secondary school students to perform experiments in physics, chemistry, and biology through interactive digital simulations. Built in response to the limited access to functional laboratories in many Nigerian schools, Foris Labs is redefining how science is taught and experienced. The platform has been adopted by leading schools across the country, helping students understand core scientific concepts and teachers deliver more engaging lessons.

Alongside this, John founded Stemnovo NG, an initiative that empowers young people in rural and semi-urban communities with practical skills in coding, robotics, and entrepreneurship. Since its inception, the program has reached over 17,000 students, providing them with the tools to turn curiosity into innovation. Many participants have gone on to win national and international innovation competitions and develop technology-driven solutions to local challenges.

In recognition of his impact, John became the first African to win the Stanford Center on Longevity Design Challenge in 2021, a global innovation competition that celebrates creative solutions advancing learning, health, and wellbeing. His leadership has also guided students to victories in major programs, including the Diamond Challenge, Beyond School Community Challenge, the World Affairs Challenge, and the UK–Nigeria Debate Championship.

John served as the youngest member of the South East Development Commission’s Venture Capital Advisory Committee, where he contributed to developing a framework for youth-focused innovation and entrepreneurship development across the region. In 2025, he was named a Social Shifters Fellow and appointed to the Social Shifters Global Youth Council, where he works alongside young leaders around the world to promote inclusive and sustainable innovation.

Awards and Recognitions

2025

• Nominee, The Future Awards Africa Prize for Education

2024

• Winner, Anambra Battle for Solutions Pitch Competition

• Anambra Most Impactful Young Person of the Year, Anambra Man of the Year Awards

• Africa EdTech 50 (HolonIQ’s annual list of the most promising EdTech startups in Africa)

• Coached students to secure Global 1st Place, World Affairs Challenge

• Mentored students to win National 1st Place, National Girls in ICT Competition

• Named among Shifters 100 (Social Shifters’ list of top 100 young changemakers globally)

2023

• Anambra Innovator of the Year (awarded to one innovator from Anambra State with a breakthrough idea or technology)

• 2nd Place, Social Shifters Global Education Innovation Challenge

• Selected among TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200 (from over 4,000 global applicants)

• Africa EdTech 50 (HolonIQ)

• Coached students to win Global 2nd Place, World Affairs Challenge

• Mentored students to win 1st Position, Malaysia–Nigeria International Debate

2022

• Winner, RUFORUM Young African Entrepreneurs Competition

• Winner, Zenith Bank Tech Fair (ranked 2nd of 500 national applicants)

• Dean’s Distinguished Leadership Award (for exceptional leadership and academic excellence)

• Coached students to win President’s Inter–Senior Secondary Schools Debate Competition

• Semifinalist, Global EdTech Startup Awards

• Coached students to win Dubai–Nigeria Bilateral Debate

2021

• Global 1st Place Champion, Stanford Center on Longevity Design Challenge

• Semifinalist, Global EdTech Startup Awards

• Coached students to win Global Prize Award, Diamond Challenge

• Winner, Injini West Africa Pitch Day Competition

2020

• Teacher Achievement Award, U.S. Mission in Nigeria and Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria (recognizing excellence in entrepreneurship education)

• Coached students to win National 1st Place, Beyond School Community Challenge

2019

• Teacher Achievement Award, U.S. Mission in Nigeria and Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria (recognizing excellence in entrepreneurship education)

• Coached Finalists,Beyond School Community Challenge

2018

• HeForShe Champion Award (awarded to only six boys nationwide by the Deputy British High Commission in Nigeria)

• Finalist, World Youth Essay Competition