The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has launched InnovateNaija, Nigeria’s largest innovation competition, with a prize fund of N250 million to support local inventions in science, engineering, and manufacturing.
The programme, supported by the Presidency, the NASENI Innovation Hub, and AfriLabs, was officially launched on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at the GITEX Nigeria 10x Stage, Landmark Event Centre, Lagos. InnovateNaija aims to discover and support bright ideas that can solve Nigeria’s unique problems and promote technological growth.
Under the scheme, 37 winners — one from each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT — will be chosen through public voting. Each state winner will receive N2.5 million to develop their innovation. The top 15 will move on to the grand finale at the NASENI Invention Fest in Abuja in February 2026. The overall winner will get N100 million in funding to expand their solution.
Alongside the competition, NASENI also announced the upcoming launch of its Innovation Hub in Abuja. The hub will provide infrastructure, mentorship, training, and funding to help innovators grow their ideas.
Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI, Khalil Sulaiman Halilu, said the competition reflects the agency’s goal of creating a supportive environment for innovation.
“The InnovateNaija Challenge is an incredible opportunity, offering funding to 37 youths to bring their ideas to life. The NASENI Innovation Hub will help turn these ideas into solutions that can scale up and strengthen Nigeria’s technology space,” he said.
Executive Director of AfriLabs, Anna Ekeledo, described the programme as a big boost to Africa’s innovation sector.
“By empowering innovators across all states in Nigeria, this competition not only fuels creativity but also strengthens the innovation ecosystem. We are proud to support NASENI in showcasing Nigerian talent,” she said.
Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said InnovateNaija will be a game changer for Nigeria’s tech community.
“Innovation is about taking ideas from start to finish. Nigeria has many talented people, but they often lack a platform to prove their ideas can solve real problems. This initiative gives them that platform, helping transform ideas into products that can solve local challenges and even compete globally,” he explained.
The three-month competition is expected to attract participants nationwide, putting Nigeria on the map as a hub for grassroots innovation in Africa.
