A young innovator at Njala University has taken a bold step toward solving a problem that many students and lecturers face daily. Alieu Sannoh, a second-year Biostatistics and Epidemiology student at the School of Public Health, College of Medical Sciences, has developed an eco-friendly whiteboard cleaning solution designed to restore stained boards and make classroom learning more effective.

Sannoh said the idea came to him during his first year at the university when he noticed that many of the whiteboards were permanently stained, making it difficult for lecturers to write and for students to follow lessons clearly. “In class one day, I thought of creating something that could clean these stains,” he explained. “From there, I started working on a whiteboard cleaner, but I also have plans for other products like sanitizers, toilet and bathroom cleaners, and multi-purpose disinfectants.”

He has since branded his innovation under the name ClExpert, which he envisions as a line of affordable, eco-friendly cleaning products that could help reduce the country’s reliance on expensive imported goods. Beyond cleaning whiteboards, the product can also be used on mirrors, glass, desks, kitchen counters, and freezers.

Looking to the future, Sannoh hopes to expand ClExpert into a fully-fledged company within the next five years. “Most of the cleaning products in Sierra Leone are imported and expensive. I want to provide something affordable, eco-friendly, and locally made that everyone can use,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that his biggest challenge remains access to chemicals and production materials, appealing to individuals, institutions, and the government for support to expand his innovation.

Born on April 27, 2003, in Largoh, Bo District, Sannoh is the youngest of three siblings and has faced significant personal challenges, including the loss of two siblings. Despite these hardships, he has remained focused on his education and innovation journey. He began his schooling at UMC Primary School in Largoh before moving to Freetown, where he attended Methodist Boys High School, and later enrolled at Njala University.

Professor Rashid Ansumana, Dean of the School of Community Health Sciences (now the College of Medical Sciences), praised Sannoh’s ingenuity. He emphasized that it is the duty of the university administration, government, and stakeholders to nurture student-led innovations that contribute positively to society.

Sannoh’s future projects under the ClExpert brand include hand sanitizers, eco-friendly toilet and bathroom cleaners, floor and tile cleaners, car interior and dashboard sprays, insect-repelling cleaning products, and multipurpose disinfectant solutions. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/njala-university-student-develops-eco-friendly-whiteboard-cleaning-solution/