The search for Nigeria’s next big innovation has just received a massive boost. The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), in partnership with AfriLabs, has rolled out the ‘Innovate Naija Challenge’ — a nationwide contest worth N250 million to support inventors across the country.
The initiative was revealed at the GITEX Nigeria Startup Festival 2025, where Anas Balarabe Yazid, special adviser on commercialisation to NASENI’s executive vice-chairman, called it a platform to “find, fund and fast-track the best home-grown products into solutions that work locally and can scale globally.”
From State Contests to National Stage
Yazid explained that entries would be accepted from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with participants required to submit online and share their projects on social media tagging @NASENIhub and @NASENIHQ.
Each state, he said, will see five innovations shortlisted. The public will then vote for one winner per state, producing 37 champions. From there, 15 finalists will pitch live at the upcoming NASENI Invention Festival.
“If you’ve built something that works, even if it’s rough around the edges, this stage is for you,” Yazid told the audience.
The winners will not only share the N250m cash pool, but also gain entry into NASENI’s innovation hub incubation programme. There, they will access 12 institutes, a centre of excellence in Abuja, and facilities ranging from machinery to manufacturing support.
Yazid added that state governors and the FCT minister had been invited to match NASENI’s funding for local winners, ensuring the impact is felt directly in communities. “Build here, sell to the world; innovation lives in every LGA — let’s give it a lift,” he urged.
He further praised NASENI’s executive vice-chairman, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, describing his leadership as “practical, inclusive, and brave — funding what works, elevating women innovators, and opening NASENI’s doors to everyone who can build.”
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