13-year-old Nigerian boy who built flyover bridge replica with clay soil wins scholarship to study Civil Engineering at US university

Musa Sani is a 13-year-old boy from Borno state, Nigeria, who has a passion for engineering and design. He became famous in 2021 when he built a replica of the first flyover bridge in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, using clay soil and his bare hands. His talent caught the attention of many people, including the governor of Borno state, Professor Babagana Zulum, who awarded him a scholarship worth N5 million (about $12,000) to fund his education up to secondary school level .

Musa was born into a less privileged family living in Gwange area in Maiduguri. He is the fourth of ten children of his parents. His mother, Mallama Hafsa Musa, said she noticed his interest in engineering since he was three years old, when he used to play with sand and mud and create different structures. She said she initially wanted him to become a teacher, but later changed her mind when she saw his potential. She also said she always supported him by buying him drawing books and other materials that could help him develop his skills.

Musa attended a community school in Gwange before he was enrolled in a private school called Golden Olive Academy in Maiduguri, where he started from primary four. He said engineering design is something he would like to do for the rest of his life, as it is his passion.

His talent did not go unnoticed by the outside world. In December 2021, he was offered a scholarship by a company called Jetmis to study Civil Engineering at a university in the United States . The company also gave N1 million (about $2,400) to his mother to start a business, and offered his father a job.

Musa is an inspiration to many young Nigerians who have dreams and aspirations. He has shown that with creativity, hard work and support, anything is possible. He has also demonstrated that Nigeria has a lot of potential and talent that needs to be nurtured and encouraged.