NASENI Innovation Hub

InnovateNaija-logo-landing

Call for Application!

Are you a young Nigerian with a homegrown, game-changing product in science, engineering, or manufacturing? Apply now for the InnovateNaija Challenge, open to Nigerians aged 15–40 nationwide and stand a chance to win #100million Naira.

Apply Now

Campaign Goals

Empower Nigerian Innovators

Empower Nigerian Innovators through direct support and national recognition.

Strengthen Nigeria’s Innovation Ecosystem

Strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem via partnerships with the private sector and academia.

Fast-track Economic Diversification

Fast-track economic diversification by supporting local solutions to local problems.

Promote a culture of Innovation

Promote a culture of innovation at all levels from grassroots to industry.

What is

InnovateNaija Challenge

The Innovate Naija Challenge is designed to spark nationwide excitement and online engagement by identifying, empowering, and supporting innovative youths across Nigeria. Through creative video submissions, participants will showcase their inventions or ideas for a chance to receive funding, with 37 winners selected from across the country. The challenge aims to ignite creativity and generate vibrant energy within Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, using social media to create a dynamic, high-energy movement that celebrates local talent and ingenuity.

Who can apply?

Innovators and Inventors

Young Nigerian innovators  within the ages of 15-40 who have designed products and solutions within the science, engineering and manufacturing sector. Individuals passionate about tech, creativity and providing solution to real world challenges including from the grassroots. 

Young Nigerians engaged in science, technology, engineering across the Nation

InnovateNaija Challenge

Eligibility Criteria

  • Must be a citizen of Nigeria.  
  • Must currently reside in Nigeria (temporary visitors or students abroad are not eligible).  
  • Open to youths of ages 15-40 
  • Innovative products must be at any of these stages: Prototype or Fully Developed. Products still at Idea stages are NOT eligible for the application.  
  • Innovative products must be within the science engineering and manufacturing sector.
  • Innovation must be original and created by the applicant or team.  
  •  
  • Innovation must solve a local problem or improve community life.  

  • Applicants can submit ideas in English or local language with translation (if possible).  

  • Application is open to individuals or teams. For teams, one member must be designated as the primary contact.  

  • Applicants must be emerging talents and grassroots inventors, not fully-funded startups.  

  • Low-tech or no-tech solutions are welcome! Tech-enabled is great but not required.  

  • Innovation must be applicable or adaptable to the Nigerian context.  

  • Each applicant/team can only submit one innovation.  

  • Each applicant/team must have at least an instagram handle/account 

Apply Now

How can I Participate?

Invest in Africa’s Future: Fuel Innovation & Impact

Be part of the movement transforming Africa’s innovation and entrepreneurship landscape. Whether you’re seeking high-impact ventures or visionary founders, this is your gateway to meaningful investment opportunities across the continent. Let’s shape the future—together.

Join the Investor Network

Powering Innovation Through Public Collaboration

Join NASENI in driving technological advancement and empowering the next generation of innovators. We invite government bodies and public institutions to collaborate with us in shaping a future fueled by innovation, technology, and youth-led development. Your partnership can make a lasting impact!

For Government & Public Institutions
For Organised Private Sector, Research Institutions & Academia

InnovateNaija Challenge Approach

Step 1
Call for Applications (4 Weeks)
Applicants will submit a 2-minute video pitch via the NASENI Innovation Hub website, showcasing their innovation and its societal impact.
Step 2
Public Voting (2 Weeks)
Submissions will be branded and shared on NASENI Innovation Hub’s social media, with voting held exclusively on Instagram. All applicants must have an Instagram account and encouraged to engage their networks to boost visibility and votes.
Step 3
State-Level Selection (Top 37)
The highest-voted video from each state (including the FCT) wins ₦2.5 million. Governors may choose to match this with an additional ₦2.5 million. Winners automatically advance to the national stage.
Step 4
National Stage & Final Selection
The 37 state winners will submit a second video for another round of public voting, determining the top 15. These finalists will be invited to Abuja for a live pitch event, where a panel of expert judges will evaluate their innovations. Based on these evaluations, the top three winners will be selected and awarded as follows: ₦100 million for first place, ₦30 million for second place, and ₦20 million for third place.

InnovateNaija Challenge

Call for Application!

Apply Now

📢 For questions on the application, contact this helpline: +2348036763548 or send an email to innovatenaija@naseni.gov.ng

Scroll to Top