The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), in partnership with AfriLabs, has launched Innovate Nigeria, popularly branded as InnovateNaija, a groundbreaking ₦250 million innovation challenge designed to empower young Nigerians to transform ideas into scalable, globally competitive technologies.
The official unveiling took place on Thursday at GITEX Nigeria 2025, on the prestigious 10x stage at Landmark Event Centre, Lagos, drawing innovators, policymakers, and investors from across Africa’s tech ecosystem.
Empowering Nigerian Youth Through Innovation
Addressing participants at the launch, Khalil Halilu, executive vice chairman/CEO of NASENI, described the competition as more than a contest, but a nationwide movement to unlock Nigeria’s innovation potential.
“In terms of what kind of innovation, I think they should be looking at things that solve real problems. Not just fancy things, but solutions to daily challenges of the average Nigerian that can also scale at an African level,” Halilu said.
He emphasized that the government is determined to back young inventors with not just funding, but also mentorship, tools, and global exposure. “You see a young kid in Jigawa creating a generator that runs on water, this initiative gives them an opportunity to participate, access grants, receive mentorship, and transform their ideas into reality,” he added.
Structure of the Competition
The InnovateNaija challenge, which enjoys Presidential support, will unfold in two major phases across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT):
- Phase One: One top innovator from each state and the FCT will emerge, producing 37 winners. Each will receive a ₦2.5 million grant to further refine and expand their projects.
- Phase Two: The top 15 finalists will advance to the NASENI Invention Fest in Abuja, scheduled for February 2026, where the national winners will be unveiled.
The grand prize winner will walk away with ₦100 million to scale their innovation into a market-ready solution capable of competing on a global stage.
Tied to NASENI’s Bigger Innovation Agenda
The challenge also serves as a prelude to the NASENI Innovation Hub in Abuja, a state-of-the-art center that will provide infrastructure, mentorship, and funding for promising innovators. According to NASENI, the hub is designed to turn Nigerian inventions into export-ready technologies, boosting local manufacturing and reducing dependence on foreign imports.
Halilu underscored that youth-driven innovation is central to Nigeria’s development strategy. “This government is saying: we believe in the youth, we believe in their creativity. Nigerians have been asking for support for their inventions, this is our direct response,” he stated.
AfriLabs’ Call to Action
Also speaking at the launch, Jennifer Okeke Ojiudu, senior ecosystem engagements manager at AfriLabs, hailed the initiative as a unique platform to spotlight Nigerian ingenuity.
“If you have a cousin, sister, friend, or brother with brilliant ideas, push them to come forward. We also need state governments to back these young innovators because they will be representing their states,” she said.
Ojiudu urged Nigerian youths to take ownership of the opportunity: “Young people, get on social media, get on the website, put in your ideas. You need to be involved in this.”
A National Innovation Movement Begins
Applications for InnovateNaija officially opened on September 4, 2025, and organisers expect thousands of entries from across the country.
Beyond the competition, NASENI and AfriLabs stress that the ultimate goal is to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem where Nigerian technologies are not only funded but nurtured, mentored, and scaled for global impact.
“InnovateNaija is about more than ₦250 million in prizes,” Halilu concluded. “It is about transforming Nigerian inventors into global innovators who will define the future of technology, not just for Nigeria, but for Africa and the world.”
