Nigeria’s National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has launched a ₦250 million innovation challenge to support young inventors with funding, mentorship and access to technology hubs.
The InnovateNaija Challenge will be unveiled on Thursday, September 4, at the GITEX Nigeria technology fair in Lagos. Organisers describe it as Nigeria’s largest youth-focused innovation competition. It is supported by AfriLabs and the Presidency.
The programme is designed to identify breakthrough ideas in science, engineering and manufacturing. It will run for three months and feature two phases.
In the first stage, one innovator will be selected from each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, making a total of 37. Each will receive ₦2.5 million in grants.
From this pool, the top 15 will move to the national finals at the NASENI Invention Fest in Abuja in February 2026. Finalists will present their projects to judges and stakeholders, with the overall winner receiving a ₦100 million grant.
NASENI officials said the challenge is part of a wider plan to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem. It also coincides with the pre-launch of the NASENI Innovation Hub in Abuja. The hub will provide infrastructure, mentorship and research opportunities for young inventors.
Khalil Sulaiman Halilu, NASENI’s executive vice chairman, said the initiative shows a deliberate effort to “foster an environment where innovation can thrive” and turn youth-driven ideas into scalable solutions.
Nigeria has long sought to diversify its economy beyond oil by investing in technology, renewable energy, manufacturing and entrepreneurship. NASENI described the InnovateNaija Challenge as a pathway for youth empowerment and a boost to Nigeria’s global reputation for creativity.
AfriLabs executive director Anna Ekeledo added that the initiative would “spotlight Nigerian ingenuity” while connecting the country to Africa’s broader innovation network.