Nigeria is set to spotlight its most promising young innovators with the launch of InnovateNaija, a groundbreaking national competition designed to fuel homegrown creativity in science, engineering, and manufacturing.
The initiative will officially debut on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at GITEX Nigeria on the 10x Stage at Landmark Event Center, Lagos, bringing together innovators from across the country for a chance to transform bold ideas into market-ready solutions.
Empowering Innovation Across All States
With a prize pool of ₦250 million, InnovateNaija is structured to ensure broad participation. The competition invites young Nigerians to showcase their ingenuity through creative video entries, spanning all 36 states and the FCT.
In the first phase, one innovator from each state and the FCT will be selected—37 in total—through a public voting process. Each of these winners will receive a ₦2.5 million grant to further develop their concepts.
From there, 15 standout innovators will advance to the grand finale at the NASENI Invention Fest in Abuja in February 2026, where they will pitch their solutions before judges and investors. The stakes are high:
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Grand prize winner – ₦100 million grant
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2nd and 3rd place winners – substantial funding and mentorship support
More Than a Contest: Building a National Innovation Hub
The competition also serves as the pre-launch of the NASENI Innovation Hub, a platform created to provide infrastructure, mentorship, and funding to innovators. Located in Abuja, the Hub will act as a springboard for Nigerian entrepreneurs to scale their ideas into businesses that can compete globally.
Khalil Sulaiman Halilu, Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI, described the initiative as a turning point for Nigeria’s innovation drive:
“The InnovateNaija Challenge is more than a competition—it’s a movement. By equipping 37 young innovators with funding and support, and by establishing the NASENI Innovation Hub, we are laying the groundwork for real-world solutions that advance Nigeria’s technological independence.”
A Boost for Africa’s Innovation Ecosystem
The initiative has already gained international support. Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director of AfriLabs, said InnovateNaija exemplifies Africa’s innovation potential:
“This challenge shows the power of homegrown ingenuity. By empowering innovators in every state, InnovateNaija strengthens Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem and provides resources to scale transformative solutions.”
A National Stage for Bold Ideas
Running from September 2025 to February 2026, InnovateNaija promises to be a defining moment for Nigeria’s innovation landscape. By combining funding, mentorship, and exposure, the programme is set to nurture the next generation of inventors and entrepreneurs while boosting Nigeria’s profile as a hub for technology and creativity.
