With Nigeria’s youth accounting for over 60% of its population, the nation’s future hinges on unlocking the potential of its youngest generation. Yet, persistent challenges like unemployment and a disconnect between education and industry have kept many young Nigerians from realizing their promise. In response, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is emerging as a driving force for change, rolling out initiatives designed to empower young innovators and entrepreneurs across the country.
NASENI’s suite of programmes, from the Innovate Naija Challenge and DELT-HER (for female inventors) to Skill Acquisition Centres nationwide, aims to shift the narrative by equipping youth with practical skills, mentorship, and pathways to commercialize their ideas. The agency’s recent “Abuja’s Biggest Founders’ Mixer” event brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem leaders, spotlighting NASENI’s commitment to fostering collaboration and translating homegrown innovations into market-ready solutions.
At the event, Dr. Anas Balarabe Yazid, Special Adviser to NASENI’s CEO, encouraged youth to see the agency as a partner and resource hub, emphasizing that successful innovation requires both technical creativity and entrepreneurial savvy. Programme Manager Mrs. Woka Philips-Ayinu introduced the NASENI Innovation Hub, which supports startups from ideation to commercialization and unveiled new initiatives like Future Makers, Xceler8, the Reverse Japa Programme, and an upcoming incubation scheme.
Attendees praised the agency’s hands-on approach, noting that NASENI is moving away from bureaucratic tradition toward a more dynamic, partnership-driven model. Central to this is the Innovate Naija Challenge, a national competition spotlighting young problem-solvers and providing them with visibility, funding, and mentorship. Complementing these efforts, the DELT-HER programme promotes gender inclusion by supporting women-led innovation, aligning Nigeria with global trends that recognize the economic impact of female technologists.
Through these targeted programmes, NASENI is helping to build an ecosystem where Nigeria’s youth can turn talent into tangible progress, signaling a new era of opportunity for the nation’s next generation of creators and entrepreneurs.
