The Federal Government has reinforced its push to build a technology-driven economy, awarding N435.5 million in grants to Nigerian innovators and young inventors under three innovation competitions organised by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
The grants, presented on Wednesday at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, are aimed at helping innovators transform ideas into practical solutions, build sustainable enterprises and contribute to Nigeria’s industrial development.
The beneficiaries emerged from the maiden InnovateNaija, FutureMakers and Intra-Inter Agency Innovation competitions.
Representing President Bola Tinubu at the ceremony, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Udeh, said the Federal Government was creating opportunities for Nigerians to develop homegrown technological solutions to local challenges.
According to him, the awards reflect the administration’s belief that Nigerian innovators can play a significant role in driving economic growth and industrialisation.
“The Federal Government remains committed to promoting innovation and developing home-grown technological solutions towards Nigeria’s industrialisation,” Udeh said.
He described the competition as evidence of government’s support for innovators, urging the beneficiaries to use the grants to improve their products and establish viable businesses.
“This competition is a demonstration of government’s support for Nigerian innovators. We believe in your capacity to contribute to Nigeria’s future,” he said.
He added, “Use these grants to refine your products, test your assumptions and build sustainable businesses that will create jobs and solve problems in our communities.”
Under the InnovateNaija competition, the national winner received N100 million, while the first and second runners-up received N30 million and N20 million respectively.
The 37 state champions, including the Federal Capital Territory, received N2.5 million each.
Six winners of the NASENI Intra-Agency and Inter-Agency Innovation competitions received a combined N162 million.
The three Inter-Agency winners shared N140 million, while the three Intra-Agency winners received a combined N22.5 million.
The FutureMakers competition, designed to encourage innovation among Nigerians aged between five and 16, produced six national finalists who shared N23 million in prize money, with the overall winner receiving N5 million.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Khalil Halilu, challenged the beneficiaries to move beyond developing ideas to creating solutions capable of addressing real problems.
“Innovation is not just about ideas; it is about solving problems that affect everyday lives. Stay focused on the problems your solutions are designed to address,” Halilu said.
He urged the innovators to protect their intellectual property, strengthen their financial management, build capable teams and pursue partnerships that could accelerate the growth of their ventures.
“Protect your intellectual property, understand your finances, build strong teams and seek partnerships that complement your capabilities,” he said.
Halilu also encouraged the beneficiaries to maintain close relationships with their target users, saying feedback and continuous improvement would be critical to the success of their products.
“Listen to your users, test your products, learn from failures and continue to improve your solutions. This support is not an end in itself but a stepping stone to building successful enterprises,” he said.
The Director of Programmes at AfriLabs, Nanko Madu, commended NASENI and the Federal Government for supporting indigenous innovation, saying young Nigerians were increasingly developing technologies suited to the country’s unique challenges.
“Young Nigerians are increasingly developing solutions tailored to our infrastructure, power challenges, climate realities and local operating conditions,” Madu said.
She said sustained support for local innovators could reduce dependence on imported technologies and foreign expertise while expanding employment and economic opportunities.
“By supporting local innovators, Nigeria can reduce dependence on imported technologies and foreign expertise while creating jobs and economic opportunities,” she added.
NASENI said the competitions were designed to identify promising innovations with commercial potential and provide support for their transition from ideas and prototypes into viable businesses.
The initiative forms part of wider efforts by government agencies to expand opportunities for innovators, startups and inventors through grants, incubation programmes and innovation challenges.
The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande; Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe; Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency, Prof Matthew Adepoju; members of NASENI management and other stakeholders.
