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The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has announced significant progress in its Innovative Menstrual Hygiene Solutions Challenge, with a total prize of ₦5,000,000 set to be awarded to five outstanding innovations.
SEMA disclosed that the initiative attracted 259 submissions from individuals committed to improving menstrual hygiene management across Yobe State, reflecting growing awareness and local engagement on the issue.
According to the agency, the selection process has been structured into three stages to ensure transparency and merit-based assessment.
In the first phase, tagged Administrative Screening, all entries were reviewed to confirm eligibility and compliance with application guidelines. At the end of this stage, 190 submissions met the required criteria and advanced to the next level.
The second stage, Technical Review, involved a detailed evaluation of the 190 qualified proposals by independent reviewers. The assessment focused on innovation, feasibility, affordability, cultural relevance, and potential impact within local communities. Following this rigorous process, 30 candidates were shortlisted for the final stage.
SEMA stated that the final phase, known as Final Adjudication, will involve presenting the shortlisted entries to a final reviewer or judge, who will determine the five best innovations.
The agency also confirmed that all shortlisted candidates would receive official email notifications ahead of the concluding stage.
Data from the exercise showed that female participants accounted for 63.3 per cent of the finalists, while male participants made up 36.7 per cent. Submissions were received from seven states, with Yobe State recording the highest number of entries among shortlisted candidates.
SEMA noted that the challenge is aimed at promoting practical, locally driven solutions to menstrual hygiene challenges, particularly among underserved communities.
The agency commended all applicants for their dedication and creativity, adding that the quality of submissions has reinforced confidence in homegrown innovations.
SEMA added that further updates would be communicated as the process concludes, with the final winners expected to emerge from the current pool of 30 finalists.
