The Nationwide Company for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has launched the InnovateNaija Problem, a nationwide innovation competitors that invitations younger Nigerians with science, expertise, engineering, and manufacturing concepts to compete for a share of a ₦140 million prize pool, mentorship, and ecosystem assist. It’s a part of a broader effort to nurture homegrown improvements and speed up options that handle native issues whereas strengthening Nigeria’s industrial and tech functionality.
Innovation ecosystems want platforms that flip concepts into funded, scalable options. The InnovateNaija Problem does this by providing vital grants, public visibility, and structured pathways from idea to commercialization. It additionally ties into the NASENI Innovation Hub initiative, which goals to bridge infrastructure, coaching, and funding gaps for innovators in Nigeria’s science and expertise sectors.
What You Can Win (Advantages)
💰 Grants & Monetary Assist
- ₦100 million for the general winner
- ₦2.5 million for every of the 37 state/FCT winners
- Extra prizes for different prime finalists on the nationwide degree
📣 Showcase & Pitch Alternatives
Finalists pitch to trade specialists, judges, and stakeholders on the NASENI Invention Fest in Abuja (February 2026), gaining publicity and networking alternatives.
🤝 Mentorship & Ecosystem Assist
Members obtain mentorship, exploration of commercialization pathways, and potential entry to the NASENI Innovation Hub, which provides infrastructure, capability constructing, and incubation assist.
Who Ought to Apply (Eligibility)
The competitors is open to:
- Younger innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and inventors throughout Nigeria
- Initiatives targeted on science, engineering, manufacturing, expertise, and utilized innovation
- Concepts or prototypes that may be scaled, commercialised, or handle native challenges with potential financial or social impression
No particular educational degree or present enterprise registration is talked about, the main focus is on concepts and options with actual potential.
How the Competitors Works
📌 Part 1: State-Stage Choice
Innovators from Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) submit entries (usually through video or on-line submission) which can be evaluated and voted on. One winner from every area earns ₦2.5 million grants.
📌 Part 2: Nationwide Finals
The prime 15 innovators are chosen to advance to the nationwide last spherical on the NASENI Invention Fest in Abuja. Finalists current their improvements to judges and stakeholders, and the prime prizes are awarded.
The programme runs over roughly three months, combining public engagement, voting, pitches, and last evaluations.
The right way to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Put together your innovation abstract: Give attention to what downside you’re fixing, how your resolution works, and any proof of testing or outcomes.
- Report a brief video (as required by the submission pointers) explaining your innovation’s worth and impression.
- Follow the NASENI Innovation Hub portal or accomplice bulletins (e.g., social media or ecosystem companions) for the official entry portal hyperlink.
- Submit your entry earlier than the competitors deadline (usually throughout the competitors interval introduced on-line).
- Have interaction public assist — some phases embrace public voting parts for state illustration..
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