Eniola Shokunbi is a 12-year-old Nigerian-American essayist, indoor air quality and children’s advocate, renowned for designing a low-cost, air filtration system to improve classroom air quality. In fifth grade, she built the system using a box fan, furnace filters that underwent testing by the University of Connecticut and validated by the Environmental Protection Agency, demonstrating over 99% efficacy in removing airborne viruses. This led to an $11.5 million grant from the Connecticut State Bond Commission to implement her filters in schools statewide.
Eniola’s initiative, part of the SAFE-CT program, not only aims to improve public health but also engages students in building the filters, fostering hands-on STEAM education.
Beyond her contributions to air quality, Eniola has received national recognition for her academic excellence and leadership. In 2022, she won the top prize in the elementary school division of the SIFMA Foundation’s Invest Write competition, where she crafted a thoughtful investment strategy essay. Her essay highlighted the importance of investing in eco-friendly companies and those that treat their workers well, showcasing her early interest in finance, sustainability and social responsibility.
Her growing list of honors includes the Forbes Woman Africa 2025 Young Achiever Award, the STEAM Train Youth Innovation Leadership Award, the NAACP Extraordinary Youth Leadership Award, the Women Herstory Community Service Excellence Award, and in January 2025, she was spotlighted by the Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation as a young changemaker making a meaningful difference in her community.
Eniola’s innovative spirit and commitment to public health continue to inspire, demonstrating that age is no barrier to making a significant impact. Her work exemplifies how young minds can drive impactful change in public health and education and community empowerment.
Her invention came at a crucial time, when the world was searching for affordable ways to improve indoor air quality during the pandemic. Instead of waiting for big corporations or laboratories to come up with solutions, Eniola stepped up with an idea that was practical, efficient, and accessible to schools everywhere.
Eniola’s story is more than just about invention. It’s about courage, creativity, and the belief that innovation can come from anywhere. She turned a classroom idea into a statewide initiative, embodying the kind of bold thinking and everyday innovation that define the true spirit of #fblifestyle.
