The Federal Government has pledged N250 m to fund young innovators across Nigeria through the InnovateNaija Challenge, a nationwide competition designed to identify, nurture, and scale transformative ideas in science, engineering, and manufacturing.
The initiative, spearheaded by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure in collaboration with AfriLabs, was officially launched at GITEX Nigeria 2025, organised by KAOUN International in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency. It aims to bridge the funding and support gaps that often prevent Nigerian innovators from moving beyond prototypes to scalable businesses.
According to the framework of the programme, the first phase will select 37 innovators, one from each state and the FCT, through a process that includes video submissions and public voting. Each state-level winner will receive a grant of N2.5 m to further develop their projects.
The top 15 innovators from this stage will advance to the grand finale scheduled for February 2026 at the NASENI Invention Fest in Abuja, where they will pitch before expert judges, policymakers, and investors.
The stakes are high, with an N100m grant reserved for the overall national winner, alongside additional funding opportunities for two runners-up.
Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Khalil Halilu, said the challenge underscores the governmentās commitment to fostering a culture of problem-solving and technological advancement.
āAs we gear up towards the InnovateNaija Challenge, which is set to identify, empower, and support Nigeriaās most promising young innovators, we at NASENI are committed to fostering an environment where these innovations can thrive,ā Halilu said.
āThis is an incredible opportunity, offering funding to 37 outstanding youths to bring their ideas to life. To complement this national movement, NASENI has established an Innovation Hub in Abuja to serve as a breeding ground for transformative ideas and technologies, ensuring that the spark ignited by the InnovateNaija Challenge is nurtured into scalable and real-world solutions,ā he added.
The NASENI Innovation Hub will provide critical infrastructure, mentorship, capacity building, and funding opportunities. It is designed to accelerate research and development while promoting collaboration between innovators, academia, and industry players.
Executive Director of AfriLabs, Anna Ekeledo, said the partnership demonstrates the role of innovation in driving Nigeriaās economic transformation.
āAt AfriLabs, we believe in the power of homegrown innovation to drive Africaās development, and InnovateNaija is a testament to this belief,ā she said.
āBy empowering innovators across all states in Nigeria, this competition not only fuels creativity but also strengthens the innovation ecosystem. We are excited to support NASENI in this groundbreaking initiative that will spotlight Nigerian ingenuity and provide the resources needed to scale impactful solutions,ā added Ekeledo.
The InnovateNaija Challenge officially launched on September 4 at GITEX Nigeria in Lagos and will run over three months. Organisers said the programme will not only create opportunities for young Nigerians to showcase their creativity but also position the country as a hub for African innovation.
By targeting innovators at the grassroots level and providing them with direct financial and structural support, the Federal Government hopes the initiative will unlock local solutions to pressing national challenges from energy and healthcare to manufacturing and digital technology.
WARNING: If You Are Not 18+, Don’t Click The Link Below šš«£Ā
https://facultativethus.com/kx6iepv2qm?key=6c14bd1d68e1eba721851f19778f5efe
Please donāt forget to āAllow the notificationā so you will be the first to get our gist when we publish it.
Drop your comment in the section below, and donāt forget to share the post.
Never Miss A Single News Or Gist, Kindly Join Us On WhatsApp Channel:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vad8g81Eawdsio6INn3B
Telegram Channel:
https://t.me/gistsmateNG
