The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and AfriLabs have today unveiled InnovateNaija, a ₦250 million innovation challenge designed to spark creativity and empower young Nigerian innovators.
The launch, held at GITEX Nigeria’s 10x Stage earlier today at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos, marked a watershed moment for Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, signalling a bold commitment to transforming homegrown ideas into global solutions.
NASENI Executive Vice Chairman Khalil Sulaiman Halilu said the initiative reflects a deliberate effort to “foster an environment where innovation can thrive” and turn youth-driven ideas into scalable solutions.
The competition also coincides with the pre-launch of the NASENI Innovation Hub in Abuja, which will provide infrastructure, mentorship, and research opportunities for young inventors.
The event drew a distinguished crowd, including the Honourable Minister of Youth, Ayodele Olawande; the Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on NASENI, Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo; a representative from AfriLabs; and Honourable Toye Cole, among other dignitaries.
Their presence underscored the initiative’s significance as a national movement to harness Nigeria’s untapped potential.
Innovation is not new to Nigeria. There are historical feats like the ancient Kano Wall and Africa’s early Iron Age, which predate Europe’s. What has changed is the country’s ability to industrialise and scale these innovations.
Nigeria’s rich history of ingenuity, from the moats protecting northern Nigeria since the 1800s to modern pioneers like Professor Ndubisi Ekeweke, a global leader in robotics.
Yet so many brilliant ideas remain unrealised due to a lack of funding, mentorship, or opportunity. InnovateNaija aims to change that by discovering, funding, and scaling groundbreaking solutions right at home.
Under the leadership of Mr Khalil Suleiman Halilu, NASENI has transformed since September 4, 2023. The agency’s renewed focus on the “three Cs”: creation, collaboration, and commercialisation.
This shift has moved NASENI from producing research that gathers dust to fostering innovations that reach markets.
How InnovateNaija works
The InnovateNaija Challenge is designed to be accessible and inclusive. Mr Halilu said 37 innovators, one from each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT, would be selected through a nationwide public voting process.
Each winner will receive ₦2.5 million in grants to further develop their proposed solutions and bring them closer to commercial viability.
The top 15 innovators will then compete at the NASENI Invention Fest in Abuja in February 2026, with the overall winner securing ₦100 million in funding.
Mr Halilu explained that the competition was created to give young Nigerians an opportunity to showcase their skills, creativity, and innovative ideas to a wider audience.
“The InnovateNaija Challenge offers funding to 37 outstanding youths to transform their innovative ideas into tangible solutions,” he said.
Beyond funding, winners gain access to the NASENI Innovation Hub and its 12 institutes, including a centre of excellence for manufacturing.
This infrastructure provides critical resources, mentorship, and facilities to turn ideas into scalable businesses.
He shared the story of a young innovator from Kano who built a low-cost water purification system using everyday materials. This ingenuity, born from necessity, embodies the spirit of InnovateNaija. With Nigeria’s population exceeding 250 million, Africa’s largest youth demographic, the challenge aims to unlock the potential of millions who dream of solving real-world problems.
The Honourable Minister of Youth and other dignitaries echoed this sentiment, emphasising the role of youth in driving Nigeria’s digital transformation. The presence of the Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on NASENI highlighted the government’s commitment to the initiative.
As the InnovateNaija Challenge takes the centre stage over the next three months, it promises to reshape Nigeria’s innovation space. The event will not only crown winners but also showcase Nigeria’s potential to lead in science, engineering, and manufacturing.